Saudi Arabia sits on fence over BRICS with eye on vital ties with US

RIYADH/DUBAI - Saudi Arabia has held off formally joining the BRICS bloc of nations despite attending a meeting in Brazil last week, two sources said, finessing an issue that could upset Washington as Riyadh seeks to seal deals with its U.S. ally.

The issue of BRICS membership has been diplomatically sensitive for Saudi Arabia since it was first invited to join in 2023, and remains so with President Donald Trump due to visit next week and Riyadh negotiating nuclear and technology deals.

BRICS, founded as a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to counter Western dominance of the world order, has grown in recent years to include emerging economies such as the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Indonesia.

But while the BRICS website shows Saudi Arabia - the worlds largest oil exporter - as a member, it has yet to join, according to the two sources, both with direct knowledge of Saudi policy.

Saudi Arabias government communications office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Brazils foreign ministry referred Reuters to the Saudi government when asked about the kingdoms listed status as a member on the website. Brazil is currently presiding over BRICS.

Riyadh does not want to risk U.S. anger as negotiations are underway with Washington, one of the sources and a diplomat said.

Saudi Arabia sent its deputy foreign minister to the April 29 meeting in Rio de Janeiro, where ministers from the fast-expanding bloc failed to agree a joint communique.

The kingdoms ambivalence about BRICS membership lays bare its high-stakes balancing act between China, its biggest oil export customer, and Washington, its indispensable security and technology partner - a tightrope walk made ever more precarious by the deepening U.S.-Chinese divide.

The Saudis still see tons of value in engaging with BRICS and