Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed optimism Monday that his country and the United States will soon reach a trade agreement, saying U.S. President Donald Trump had practically “guaranteed” a deal during their meeting on Sunday.
The two leaders held talks on the sidelines of a regional summit in Malaysia’s capital, which Lula described as “very good.” Trump, who traveled to Japan afterward, indicated that he could consider reducing tariffs on Brazilian products, imposed earlier in a bid to seek leniency for Brazil’s jailed former president, a known Trump ally.
“I think we should be able to make some good deals for both countries,” Trump said after the meeting, according to Lula.
Lula told reporters that he presented Trump with a written document disputing the U.S. tariff hikes, arguing that while the U.S. has the right to impose them, the measures were based on “mistaken information.” Lula added that Trump did not attach any conditions nor commit to immediately suspending the tariffs, but assured him that an agreement would be reached.
“He guaranteed to me that we will reach an agreement,” Lula said through an interpreter. “I am very confident that in a few days we will reach a solution.”
The Trump administration imposed a 40% tariff on Brazilian goods in July, adding to a previous 10% increase. The U.S. justified the tariffs, citing Brazil’s policies and the criminal prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was recently convicted of attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election and sentenced by Brazil’s Supreme Court to around 27 years in prison.
Lula emphasized that Brazil remains one of three Group of 20 countries with which the U.S. has a trade surplus. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States had a $6.8 billion trade surplus with Brazil last year. He also stressed that Bolsonaro’s legal troubles should not influence trade negotiations, saying, “Bolsonaro is part of the past now in Brazilian history.”
In addition, Lula offered to mediate the crisis in Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro has accused Washington of fabricating a war against the country after the U.S. sent its largest warship to the region.
Lula, who turned 80 on Monday, described the milestone as a high point in his life and expressed hope of living to 120. He attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) annual summits as a guest of Malaysia, the chair of this year’s meeting, which seeks to strengthen trade ties with Latin America.
Source: AP