SCO Summit 2025 in China: Global Leaders Gather as Trump’s Tariffs Shake World Trade
Tianjin, China – August 30, 2025 – The stage is set in northern China as world leaders prepare to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025, a high-stakes meeting overshadowed by Donald Trump’s fresh 50% tariffs on Indian goods and escalating global conflicts.
For the first time since 2018, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China, signaling a thaw in relations after years of border disputes. Analysts say Modi’s presence is partly driven by Washington’s trade war, which has forced New Delhi to seek new partnerships in Eurasia.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, host of the summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, aims to showcase the SCO as a platform for the Global South, uniting countries outside Western influence at a time of global economic uncertainty.
Who’s attending the SCO Summit 2025?
This year’s gathering is among the most high-profile in SCO history, with over 20 heads of state and representatives from 10 international organizations.
Key attendees include:
Vladimir Putin (Russia)
Shehbaz Sharif (Pakistan)
Masoud Pezeshkian (Iran)
Alexander Lukashenko (Belarus)
Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Türkiye)
Prabowo Subianto (Indonesia)
Anwar Ibrahim (Malaysia)
K P Sharma Oli (Nepal)
Mohamed Muizzu (Maldives)
Global institutions such as the United Nations and ASEAN will also be represented.
Why the SCO matters
Founded in 1996 as the “Shanghai Five,” the SCO has grown into one of the largest regional alliances, with members now representing 43% of the world’s population and nearly a quarter of global GDP.
Unlike NATO’s bloc-based security model, the SCO promotes a principle of “indivisible security” — the idea that no country should strengthen its security at the expense of others. Analysts say this reflects a challenge to U.S.-led global order.
The group’s agenda has also broadened beyond security to cover trade, energy, and connectivity projects, making it a competitor to forums like BRICS.
Why this year’s summit is crucial
The SCO Summit 2025 comes at a volatile time:
Russia’s war in Ukraine shows no signs of ending.
The Gaza war and Middle East tensions continue to escalate.
U.S. tariffs under Trump have shaken global markets.
India-China relations remain fragile despite recent talks.
Experts believe Xi will use the summit to position China as a balancing force against Western dominance, while Russia and Iran will seek support against U.S. sanctions and isolation.
Divisions within the SCO
Despite the show of unity, internal rifts remain:
India and Pakistan continue to clash over terrorism accusations.
India has resisted SCO condemnations of Israel due to its ties with Tel Aviv.
Member states differ on how to respond to the Ukraine war.
These divisions mean the summit may focus more on symbolism than substance — with China highlighting its role as host and peacemaker.
What it means for the U.S.
Washington is watching closely, particularly Modi’s interactions with Xi. Trump has openly criticized Global South alliances like BRICS and SCO, calling them “anti-American,” and his tariff war has pushed countries like India closer to Beijing and Moscow.
The summit also precedes the Quad meeting later this year in New Delhi, where India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia will discuss countering China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific.
For now, the SCO Summit 2025 will serve as a test of how far non-Western powers can align their interests amid a rapidly shifting world order.