In conversation with the press, Lula expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations over tariffs imposed by the United States on Brazilian products. - Credit: Ricardo Stuckert / PR

On Wednesday, May 7, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with Donald Trump, President of the United States, at the White House, in Washington. During a press conference, Lula said that the three-hour meeting represented an important step in Brazil–United States relations.

“I leave here with the understanding that we have taken an important step in the consolidation of the historic and democratic relationship between Brazil and the United States,” said Lula. “It was an important meeting. Brazil is ready to discuss any subject with any country in the world. There are no forbidden topics. The only thing we will not give up is our democracy and our sovereignty,” he added.

After the meeting, Donald Trump posted on social media that he had had a “very good” meeting with Lula. According to the US President, upcoming meetings between the representatives of the two countries have already been scheduled.

During his conversation with the press, Lula expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations over tariffs imposed by the United States on Brazilian products. “I suggested to Trump that we could task our ministers with solving this issue for us within the next 30 days so that we can decide what will happen next. I believe it will lead to a positive outcome, with a trade agreement between Brazil and the United States,” said Lula.

TRADE —Brazil’s Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services [Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços/MDIC], Márcio Elias Rosa, also commented on the debate around tariffs. “We agreed to meet to assess the issue and reach a conclusion within the next 30 days. We expect a conclusion that will also lead to concluding the Section 301 process. We agreed to resume negotiations to end the tariffs and to establish a new framework going forward in the upcoming weeks,” he said.

CRITICAL MINERALS —Lula told the press that he had informed Trump that the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has recently approved a regulatory framework on critical minerals. The Brazilian President reaffirmed that Brazil is open to receiving investments from any country around the world. “We do not have any preferences. Whoever wishes to participate with us to help with the mining, processing, and production of the wealth that these rare earths can bring is welcome to invest in Brazil,” he signaled.

Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy [Minas e Energia] Alexandre Silveira stressed that Brazil is fertile ground for investment. “We leave here, particularly in the mines and energy sector, extremely optimistic about the prospect of receiving American investment in Brazil,” he said.

BROAD DIALOGUE —During the press conference, Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira emphasized that the meeting was extremely productive, encompassing various issues. “The discussions included issues related to bilateral trade and a detailed conversation about the tariffs imposed by the US government. Then, we talked about issues related to cooperation on transnational crime and combating organized crime. We also discussed issues related to critical minerals, all in a very positive and friendly atmosphere. It was a very productive meeting,” he said.

COMBATING CRIME —Brazil’s newly appointed Minister of Justice and Public Security Wellington César Lima e Silva highlighted that the two governments share similar ideas on strategies to combat organized crime, including the financial asphyxiation of these organizations. “President Lula proposed working groups to deal with the issue both at the domestic level and through international cooperation initiatives. I believe this was actually a historic day in the relationship between Brazil and the United States,” he said.

Brazil’s Minister of Finance Dario Durigan also spoke about efforts to cooperate against organized crime, increasing oversight of customs operations and exchanging information on the arrival of containers. He mentioned that this partnership has already resulted in a recent seizure of half a ton of firearms. Durigan said he hopes to advance new agreements with the United States. “Both in terms of customs cooperation and money laundering, we are very close to advancing with new agreements," he said.