President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) made indirect criticism of the policies of US President Donald Trump by defending multilateralism and criticizing economic protectionism in a speech in Tokyo, Japan.
The statements took place during the president’s speech at the Brazil – Japan Business Forum, held in the Japanese capital.
Not to mention Trump or the United States directly, Lula quoted “three problems with all world leaders should worry.”
According to the petista, the “political denial” of countries that do not recognize climate instability and do not meet climate protocols like Kyoto’s will bring no benefit to humanity.
“Democracy is at risk on the planet, with an election of the far right, which does not even recognize vaccine, climate instability, political parties and unions. The denial of politics will bring no benefit to humanity.”
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT)
Another agenda raised by the president, at the end of the speech, was free trade between countries. For Lula, countries cannot again adopt protectionist measures.
“We cannot defend protectionism again, we do not want a second cold war, we want free trade, so that countries are established in the movement of democracy, economic growth and the distribution of riches.”
In addition to speech about protectionism, the president highlighted the importance of multilateralism and the relationship between countries, both for economics, technology and culture.
Indirect criticism of Trump government measures, which, since taking over the US presidency in January, has adopted a protectionist positioning, has gained even more weight because they were made abroad and alongside Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Japan Investment
At the beginning of the speech, Lula invited Japan to invest in Brazil, calling the country “Porto Seguro” of investments. According to the petista, Brazil has to be for Japan in 2025, the opportunity that was in 1908, attracting more investment in the Asian country.
The president also stated that 10 cooperation agreements between countries and 80 agreements between companies, banks, universities and other institutions will be signed.
Lula also cited the challenge regarding the drop in bilateral trade, stating that there was a drop of $ 17 billion in 2011 to $ 11 billion in 2024.
For him, an economic partnership between Japan and Mercosur would be an opportunity for countries, which would gain “more with integration than with protectionist practices.”
COP30
Lula also highlighted the headquarters, the city of Belém, Pará. The president said he expects the presence of the Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and said it will be the “most important COP of all, with serious debate on the control of global warming.”
He then criticized “countries that are failing to discuss the Paris Agreement,” referring to the United States, which, in the early days of the Trump administration, ceased to be part of the treaty that aims to limit global warming.
