The meeting, which was not planned on the official agenda, served as First approach between both leaders in the midst of growing bilateral tensions.
According to Trump himself during his speech before the Assembly, the crossing was casual but enjoyable. “I was entering and the leader of Brazil was coming out. We saw each other, I saw him, he saw me, and we hugged each other. We agree to meet next week. We didn’t have much time to speak, about 20 seconds. Seeing it in retrospect, I’m glad to have expected, because things did not go very well, ”said the US president.
Trump added that the talk was cordial and had a positive impression of the Brazilian president. “It seemed like a very pleasant man, in fact. And I only do business with people who like. When they don’t like me, I just don’t like it. It is a good sign, ”he said.
Both presidents agreed to schedule a formal meeting for the following week, although they did not transcend details about the format or headquarters of the meeting.
Context: tensions for tariffs and sanctions
This gesture of distension occurs at a time marked by a diplomatic escalation between the two countries. Trump’s government recently imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian productsin addition to economic sanctions against Judge Alexandre de Moraes, of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), and even visa restrictions on Brazilian authorities. The measures were interpreted as retaliation by the trial faced by former president Jair Bolsonaro, near Trump’s close ally, in Brazil.
Trump himself had described the judicial process against Bolsonaro as a “Witch hunting” and had hardened the tone against the Lula government in recent weeks.
Lula’s criticisms in his speech before the UN
Minutes before the surprising encounter between the two, Lula had offered a speech with strong criticism of the Republican government, although without mentioning Trump directly. In this scenario, he had particular emphasis on respect for sovereignty of each countrythe need to regulate the Internet and the new tools of AI, the fight against hunger worldwide, the resolution of armed conflicts – mainly in Gaza and Ukraine -, global warming and The current tension in international trade, unleashed following reciprocal tariffs imposed by Trump.
The Brazilian leader positioned himself In the antipodes of the American president and advocated different world leadership, based on multilateralism and respect for “the voice of the global southern.”
In the midst of growing tensions with the Republican for 50% tariffs on Brazil, Lula was erected as an alternative to current global leadership and launched darts against US administration and its positioning in different themes that today affect different countries around the world.
“UN symbolizes the maximum expression of the expressions of peace and prosperity. Today, despite the ideals that inspired its founders in San Francisco, they are threatened as never before in their history. Multilateralism is located at a crossroads, “he said at the beginning of his speech.
The highest confrontation point came when Lula said Brazil lives “an unprecedented attack” to its institutions and economy. “The aggression against the independence of the Judiciary is unacceptable. This interference in national matters is assisted by an extremely subjected right, which feels nostalgia for the hegemonies of the past,” he said.
“In the eyes of the world, Brazil sent a message to the broom autocrats and those who support it. Our democracy and our sovereignty are not dribbling “was the president’s response to the growing tension also in the judicial level, before Trump’s support, the former president, Jair Bolsonaro, recently convicted by the highest Brazilian court of justice.
On international trade, Lula analyzed: “Few sectors have worsened as much as the multilateral trade system, with unilateral measures that have caused the fundamental principles to become hollow words. They have altered the value chains and thrown by land the global economy that has plunged into a pernicious spiral of high prices and stagnation. It is urgent to refound the WTO. “
Source: Ambito
