Lula Seeks Trade Agreement While Trump Links Tariffs to Bolsonaro Controversy

After meeting with Donald Trump at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed hope for a possible trade agreement between the U.S. and Brazil, even as disputes over tariffs and diplomatic strains related to Jair Bolsonaro’s legal issues persist. The two presidents, who had a short but reportedly positive conversation on October 26, agreed to start talks right away to address the conflict. Lula stated that Trump “promised” a solution would be reached “sooner than anyone expects,” as noted in an

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In August, the U.S. enacted 50% tariffs on most goods imported from Brazil, a decision Trump linked to what he described as a “witch hunt” against Bolsonaro, who was recently found guilty of attempting a coup after his 2022 election defeat. These tariffs, which affected a $410 billion U.S. trade surplus with Brazil over the past 15 years, have heightened tensions between the countries. Lula criticized the tariffs as a “mistake” and defended Brazil’s economic interests, according to an

. Additional sanctions targeting Brazilian officials, including Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes—who oversaw Bolsonaro’s trial—have further intensified the situation, as reported by an .

During their discussion in Malaysia, Lula insisted that Bolsonaro’s legal matters should not influence trade talks, saying, “Bolsonaro is now a figure of the past in Brazil’s history,” as reported by

. Trump, for his part, suggested there could be broader diplomatic cooperation, mentioning the possibility of “striking some very favorable agreements” and even proposing that Lula could help mediate the situation in Venezuela, according to a . At the summit, Trump also revealed new regional trade plans, including deals with Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, as noted by .

Brazil’s foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, announced that negotiation teams from both countries would begin talks “right away,” aiming to pause the tariffs during discussions, according to

. It is still uncertain, however, if the U.S. has agreed to this suspension. Brazilian industry associations, especially those in the beef and coffee sectors, have welcomed the renewed dialogue, pointing to the tariffs’ negative effects on international trade and increasing prices in the U.S. market.

Lula also took the opportunity to criticize U.S. actions in Venezuela, calling for adherence to international law and respect for sovereignty, as mentioned in another

. While the Trump administration has not confirmed if another meeting will take place, the ASEAN summit represented a significant move toward easing a conflict that has unsettled global markets. Observers are watching the progress of these negotiations closely, especially as Brazil tries to maintain strong economic relations with the U.S. while also deepening ties with China, now its top soybean customer, according to a .

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