U.S. President Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met at the White House on Thursday (May 7). Trump said the meeting went very well. Brazilian officials stated that the meeting between the two leaders lasted for three hours.
Trump posted on his social media platform “Truth Social” saying, “I just finished a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, he is a very energetic president. We discussed many issues, including trade, especially tariff issues. The meeting went very well. Representatives from both sides have scheduled meetings to discuss key issues. If necessary, more meetings will be arranged in the coming months.”
After the meeting, Lula held a press conference at the Brazilian Embassy, stating that the meeting with Trump took an “important step” in consolidating the “historical” relationship between Brazil and the U.S. He briefly reviewed the history between the two countries, noting that the U.S. has been Brazil’s largest trading partner throughout the entire 20th century.
He also mentioned that the meeting discussed drug trafficking and transnational crime issues, which he considers important. He expressed willingness to help establish a Latin American alliance dedicated to combating drug and arms trafficking.
Brazilian government officials at the press conference described the three-hour meeting as “very good,” with positive and productive dialogue between the two leaders.
The tensions in U.S.-Brazil relations, particularly Trump’s tariff policies and the Brazilian authorities’ trial and conviction of former President Jair Bolsonaro, had caused strain. The Trump administration condemned the Lula government for politically persecuting Bolsonaro and imposed certain sanctions.
Brazilian officials hoped that the meeting between Lula and Trump would yield positive results. Lula also aimed to reshape the relationship between the two countries, stating at the press conference that he was “satisfied” with the meeting, calling it “an important meeting for both countries.”
Brazilian products currently face a 10% tariff imposed by the Trump administration, set to expire in July.
However, in recent weeks, Brazil has seen indications that its export products may face new tariffs due to a U.S. investigation into “unfair trade practices.”
In addition to tariffs, there are still tensions between the two sides on digital trade issues: Brazil has blocked the extension of a World Trade Organization electronic commerce tariff suspension supported by the U.S.; Brazil imposes high tariffs on certain goods, including ethanol.