The Brazilian president was optimistic after meeting with his American counterpart at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.
The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvaexpressed optimism about the possibility of a new trade agreement with the United Statesafter holding a recent meeting with the North American president, donald trumpduring the summit of the ASEAN in Malaysia.
In a press conference after the meeting, Lula assured that Trump guaranteed his intention to advance a bilateral understanding and that the negotiations could be finalized “faster than many imagine.” According to the Brazilian leader, the dialogue was “frank and positive”and left the door open for strengthen the economic relationship between both nations.
“I had an excellent meeting with President Trump this Sunday afternoon in Malaysia. We addressed the bilateral trade and economic agenda candidly and constructively. We agreed that our teams will meet immediately to seek solutions to tariffs and sanctions against Brazilian authorities“said the Brazilian president on social networks.
Tense relationship after high tariffs
For his part, the American president was more cautious. Before leaving Malaysia, Trump described the talk with Lula as “a good meeting” and described the Brazilian as “a very vigorous guy.” However, he avoided giving certainties: “I don’t know if anything is going to happen, but we’ll see,” he declared to journalists aboard the presidential plane.
The relationship between both countries is experiencing recent tensions after Washington will apply 50% tariffs on Brazilian productsin retaliation for the condemns former president Jair Bolsonaro. Lula described this measure as “incorrect”, but stressed his willingness to dialogue. “I am willing to talk about any issue with President Trump, even about regional issues such as the situation in Venezuela,” he said.
The Brazilian president also highlighted that Brazil has a key role in South America: “I reminded him that we are the largest and most economically important country in the region, with direct ties to almost all of our neighbors. Our voice must be heard in any decision that affects the continent,” he said.
“It is an honor to meet with the president of Brazil. I am convinced that we will be able to reach beneficial agreements for both countries. Our relationship has always been good and I hope it continues to strengthen”had expressed trump before the start of the match.
Source: Ambito
