Eight days from the beginning of the 50% rate imposed by the United States on Brazilian products, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hardened the tone in the declared interest of the White House in Brazil’s strategic minerals. In a public event in Minas Gerais on Thursday (24), Lula stated that natural resources belong to the Brazilian people and will not be negotiated without respect for national sovereignty.
“We have all our oil to protect. We have all our gold to protect. We have all the rich minerals you want to protect. And here no one puts our hands. This country is from the Brazilian people,” the president said during a ceremony in Minas Gerais (MG), in direct reference to the US government.
Speech is an answer to. At the meeting, the diplomat expressed interest from the Trump government to sign agreements for the acquisition of minerals such as lithium, niobium and so -called rare lands.
such as chips, batteries, military equipment and clean power generation. Brazil has the second largest rare land reserve in the world, but participates with only 1% of global production.
Donald Trump’s interest in strategic minerals is not restricted to Brazil. The current US president closed an agreement with Ukraine in April demanding the supply of rare land in exchange for military aid sent in the war against Russia. It also seeks similar negotiations with China.
