to the international order by doing so brics nations hope to bend that order more in their direction that means development models and funding mechanisms aligned to their needs instead of those of western nations. china in particular has good reason to prefer open trade its belt road initiative is connecting global markets the checkbook diplomacy behind it has been on full display in recent days. but before they can leave brics nations must protect themselves against global economic shifts with increasing u.s. protectionism india china and brazil will rely on each other more. the question than is whether this year s conference will really be about offering new vision or simply hanging together in tough times. and our correspondent alison gallagher is joining us now from capetown kind of tone will the summit strike today after that let s call it successful trade talks between john and donna trump last night