The Brazilian president is expected to bring to the meeting topics such as sanctions on the country’s authorities and US actions to combat drug trafficking; There is a fear that the PT member’s recent speeches will generate noise
The president (PT) and the president of the United States, , are scheduled to meet this Sunday (26), in Malaysia, during the Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). The meeting has not yet been officially confirmed by the two governments, but Trump said he may consider reducing Brazilian products “under the right circumstances.”
The meeting takes place amid the impasse caused by the 50% tariff imposed by the United States on Brazilian exports. According to Lula, the objective is to demonstrate that the measure is not economically sustainable. The Brazilian president claims that the US has accumulated a surplus of around US$410 billion in trade with Brazil over the last 15 years.
In addition to tariffs, Lula must deal with the revocation of sanctions on Brazilian authorities, including ministers and civil servants linked to government programs. The PT member states that he intends to present data to defend that the fees and punishments were based on mistaken premises.
There is also an expectation that the two will discuss North American actions against South America. Lula has criticized the strategy of attacking vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific, defended by Trump. For the Brazilian president, the fight against drugs must respect the sovereignty of countries and be accompanied by trial and formal evidence. In recent months, Lula and Trump have resumed diplomatic contacts. The two spoke on the phone and said they had “good chemistry” in a brief meeting during the UN Assembly. Advisors from both sides assess that the meeting in Malaysia could pave the way for a reorganization of the bilateral relationship.
However, the PT member’s recent statements about the fight against drug trafficking and the sovereignty of countries could generate noise at the meeting. By stating that “traffickers are victims of users too” and criticizing the United States offensive against suspicious vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific, the Brazilian president cast doubt on the strategy adopted by Trump in the region, which involves lethal actions outside American territory. The speech had repercussions among opposition parliamentarians in Brazil and could create a more sensitive environment at the negotiating table, especially as the North American government has defended a tougher and more direct approach against international cartels.
For diplomats, the topic should come up at the meeting, but will require care to avoid contaminating the discussion on tariffs and trade relations. Lula said that there are no prohibited topics for dialogue and that he hopes for a positive result for both countries. “Our interest is that Brazil wins and the United States wins. And that, above all, the Brazilian and American people win,” he stated. If confirmed, this will be the first official meeting between Lula and Trump since the beginning of the current trade crisis.
Published by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the help of AI
