His threat was directed at countries in the so-called BRIC alliance, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
It used to be BRIC (Brazil, India, China, Russia) or BRICS (same + South Africa). In the article, it has been extended again to other nations, therefore “so-called” because its membership is not the same anymore. Also, the membership seems very informal, it’s just a bunch of countries maintaining ties and having discussions, not a real group of countries, with its own set of rules and institutions.
It used to be BRIC (Brazil, India, China, Russia) or BRICS (same + South Africa). In the article, it has been extended again to other nations, therefore “so-called” because its membership is not the same anymore. Also, the membership seems very informal, it’s just a bunch of countries maintaining ties and having discussions, not a real group of countries, with its own set of rules and institutions.
That makes a lot more sense. Appreciated.