Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump had personally assured him that the two countries would soon finalize a trade agreement, signaling a possible thaw in relations after months of tariff tensions.
Speaking at a briefing on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, Lula said his discussions with Trump had been “very positive” and that the long-awaited deal would be concluded “faster than anyone thinks.”
“The president guaranteed that we are going to reach an agreement,” Lula said. “We discussed trade, cooperation, and Brazil’s role in regional stability.”
The United States currently maintains a 50% tariff on Brazilian products, imposed in retaliation for the sentencing of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. Lula criticized Washington’s decision as “incorrect,” but emphasized that dialogue remained open between the two nations.
“I told him that Brazil is willing to talk about any issue, including those where we disagree,” Lula added. “I also made clear that we are ready to help the United States on matters concerning Venezuela.”
Lula stressed that Brazil’s regional influence and economic weight should make it a key partner for the U.S. in addressing political and trade challenges in South America.
“As the largest and most economically significant country in South America, Brazil’s experience should be taken into account,” he said.
The renewed talks mark a potential turning point for U.S.-Brazil relations, which have been strained over trade barriers and political disputes since early 2025.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
