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Clara Montgomery
Brazil’s President Lula to Engage with Putin and Xi Amid Trade Tensions
President Lula of Brazil will meet with Putin and Xi in May amid fears of a global trade war due to U.S. tariffs, marking significant diplomatic efforts during his presidency. China is Brazil’s largest trading partner. Lula expresses concerns over U.S. trade policy implications.
In May, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking important diplomatic engagements amid concerns about a potential global trade war precipitated by U.S. tariffs. Lula’s meetings will coincide with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9 and the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum on May 12.
Lula’s upcoming trip to Moscow will be his first official visit there during his current nonconsecutive term, while this trip to China will be his second. Previously, during his terms from 2003 to 2010, he visited Russia twice and China three times. Brazil, Russia, and China enjoy a robust economic partnership and are founding members of the BRICS group, which aims to balance the influence of developed countries. Lula currently holds the BRICS presidency until 2025 and will host the upcoming summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7.
The CELAC forum, which China is set to host, aims to enhance cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean, as expressed by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Furthermore, China remains Brazil’s foremost trading partner, accounting for 28% of Brazilian exports and supplying 24.2% of its imports in 2024. In comparison, the United States is Brazil’s second-largest trading partner, with a trade deficit of $283.8 million recorded with the U.S. by Brazilian authorities.
Lula has voiced significant concerns regarding the repercussions of U.S. tariffs, asserting that such measures will harm free trade and weaken multilateral cooperation. He emphasized his apprehensions during a recent press briefing in Tokyo, which concluded his four-day visit to Japan. Furthermore, President Trump has announced plans to unveil tariffs, referring to the day as “Liberation Day,” aimed at reducing dependency on foreign goods. Beyond his meetings with Putin and Xi, Lula is also scheduled to attend the CELAC summit in Honduras in April and will visit France in June.
In summary, President Lula’s diplomatic engagements with Putin and Xi reflect Brazil’s strategy to strengthen ties with both Russia and China amid rising trade tensions initiated by the U.S. tariffs. The upcoming meetings represent key steps for Brazil as a member of BRICS and a major partner in global trade. Lula’s warning about the adverse effects of U.S. trade policies indicates a broader concern for multilateral trade frameworks.
Original Source: apnews.com
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