The selection of Secretary of State Marco Rubio to continue the negotiations left the Brazilian government with a flea behind its ear
Phew! Finally, the United States opens a door to negotiate with Brazil. The phone conversation between and was long: thirty minutes. A storm, compared to the 39 seconds of chemistry that took place in New York. The worrying expectation that difficult topics would be addressed was not confirmed. The American president expressed himself optimistically on his social networks:
“This morning, I had a very good phone call with President Lula of Brazil. We discussed many things, but the conversation focused mainly on the economy and trade between the two countries. We will have further discussions and meet in the not too distant future, both in Brazil and in the United States. I enjoyed the phone call. Our countries will do very well together!”
Joy and apprehension at the same time
The Brazilian government was elated with the conversation. For those who were apprehensive about the tone that would be imposed by Trump, the result could not be more encouraging. There was a “party” at Palácio do Planalto. Minister Fernando Haddad said that the contact was positive, and vice-president Geraldo Alckmin stated that he was optimistic about the prospect of the United States reviewing the 50% taxation.
All very well, all very well, but is this phone call really an indication that the issues will be resolved? Although Trump said he would welcome Lula for a face-to-face meeting, he currently appointed the Secretary of State to continue the negotiations. News that left the Brazilian government scratching its head.
You have to read between the lines
Between the lines, Trump made it clear that political issues were barely discussed: “The conversation focused mainly on the economy and trade between the two countries.” In other words, with me the dialogue was about the economy, with Rubio, other issues could be addressed. And who doubts they will be? That’s where everything can get complicated.
In negotiations with other countries, American representatives were different. With the European Union, for example, it was trade representative Jamieson Greer; with China, the interlocutor was the Secretary of the Treasury. Without a very in-depth analysis, it is not difficult to deduce that these two would be the most appropriate to discuss economic issues.
Political demands still continue
Marco Rubio, however, sends shivers through the Brazilian government. Son of Cubans, he knows well the authoritarian abuses suffered by the population of his country of origin. He has always been a fervent critic of regimes that took away the freedom of their inhabitants, such as China and Iran. He was responsible for imposing sanctions on Brazilian authorities.
If the topic of Bolsonaro was not raised in the conversation with Trump, with Rubio the story could be different. The lack of freedom of expression, the restrictions of Big Techs and Bolsonaro’s trial and imprisonment, which he considers unfair and the result of political persecution, will probably come back to the fore. Will it change the way of thinking like this, in the blink of an eye?
Difficult time in the relationship
The Brazilian government assumes that, based on President Trump’s guidance, Rubio’s attitudes may be different. The hope is that, like what happened in the conversation between Lula and Trump, only tariff issues will be discussed. However, anyone who analyzes the actions of the American Secretary of State finds that he was always firm in his decisions, never changing his position or making concessions.
Perhaps this meeting of the three Brazilians chosen by Lula and Marco Rubio will be one of the most important and decisive moments in the relationship between the two countries. If the Secretary of State maintains his position of negotiating negotiations only if Brazil meets the political and judicial demands established in Trump’s letter to Lula, sent on July 9 of this year, the meeting will run the risk of being a failure.
A difficult dilemma to solve
The Brazilian government does not want to give up the decisions of the Judiciary. In addition to not wanting to, he cannot, as he has no power in that territory. There is also no way to back down to approve a broad, general and unrestricted amnesty. In this matter, it can even influence, but not decide on issues that are Parliament’s prerogatives. And without these conditions met, negotiations will stall. There are not many options for Brazil, since, in just 60 days after the increase in tariffs, Brazilian exports fell by a frightening 20.3%.
It is a difficult dilemma to resolve: maintain “sovereignty” and leave the biggest political opponent out of the 2026 elections, even if this harms the economy with losses in revenue, jobs and company failures; or leave these political issues aside and think about the country. I would have to break the rule: little flour, my pirão first.
Balancing all this will depend on a lot of diplomacy, resignation and political detachment. Only a statesman with a long-term vision and committed to the country’s development and the well-being of the population will be able to make a decision that is not only convenient to his ideological colors. Is it too much to ask? This meeting will give indications of the response that Brazil awaits. Follow on Instagram: .
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
