Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday declared that Brazil is open to foreign investment, welcoming companies seeking to expand in the country as he inaugurated a new factory for Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) in Sao Paulo state.
“Count on the Brazilian government. Whoever wants to leave, leave. Whoever wants to come, we welcome you with open arms,” Lula said at the ceremony, highlighting Brazil’s commitment to attracting new industries and jobs.
The leftist leader contrasted the arrival of GWM with past decisions by global carmakers such as Ford and Mercedes-Benz to scale back operations in Brazil. He said the government is determined to strengthen partnerships with companies willing to invest locally.
In his remarks, Lula also criticized the 50% tariffs imposed on Brazilian goods by U.S. President Donald Trump, describing them as “unnecessary turbulence.”
Earlier this month, Lula told Reuters he would seek discussions within the BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, on how to collectively respond to U.S. trade barriers.
GWM’s Brazilian unit, according to company statements, has the capacity to produce 50,000 vehicles annually. The factory is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs once it begins exporting to Latin America.
Brazil’s auto industry is on track for significant growth, with vehicle exports projected to rise by 38.4% in 2025 compared to this year, reaching 552,000 units, according to industry association Anfavea.
Written By Rodney Mbua
