‘Club’ Arrangements in the WTO and BRICS Members Participating in Them Under Economic Sanctions

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the ‘club’ agreements within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and examines the participation of the BRICS members in plurilateral initiatives. With increasing protectionist measures, slowing multilateral negotiations and rapid changes in global trade, plurilateral agreements are becoming increasingly important. Such agreements are concluded between a limited number of interested countries, making it possible to reach a compromise on key trade policy issues faster by creating flexible cooperation mechanisms. However, despite these advantages, there is a significant problem integrating the results of such agreements into the WTO’s general legal system, which is traditionally based on the principle of consensus among all members. The article also examines in detail the main club-type initiatives, including agreements in vital areas such as e-commerce, investment policy and sustainable development, as well as their impact on the structure of global trade flows. These initiatives are becoming important tools for countries seeking to advance their interests in an environment where traditional multilateral negotiations face blockages and difficulties. Special attention is paid to analyzing the positions of the BRICS countries in these negotiations, as well as their strategic interests, given their role in shaping an alternative agenda for multilateral trade. Considering different levels of economic development and specific national priorities, the BRICS countries often take heterogeneous positions on main issues of international trade. Nevertheless, despite these differences, the BRICS member countries have agreed to develop cooperation within the WTO aimed at improving existing multilateral trade rules and creating new initiatives. These initiatives are aimed at promoting inclusive growth and economic development, as well as creating an enabling environment for restoring confidence in multilateralism in international trade. The participation of the BRICS member states in plurilateral agreements represents an important step in strengthening their collective influence in the WTO and in the international trading system as a whole.