Internal guidance is to contain the celebrations and avoid immediate political use of the meeting until negotiations between the two countries progress concretely.
The meeting between the president (PT) and the former president of generated enthusiasm among the PT militants, but led the PT leadership to adopt a cautious tone. The internal guidance is to contain the celebrations and avoid immediate political use of the meeting until negotiations between the two countries progress concretely.
According to party leaders, the dialogue between Lula and Trump was considered positive, but it still does not represent the end of negotiations, especially in relation to the reduction of American trade tariffs — one of the main objectives of the Brazilian government. The assessment is that any early celebration could generate wear and tear if the agreement does not materialize.
The PT leadership recommended that activists, parliamentarians and ministers wait for the outcome of the discussions before associating the meeting with political or economic achievements. Only after eventual results, such as the effective cut in tariffs, does the party intend to exploit the episode as a political asset for the president.
Within the government, the rapprochement with Trump is seen as another move in the strategy of reinforcing Lula’s international image, which is already gaining popularity domestically. The recent approval of the project that increases the Income Tax exemption for those earning up to R$5,000 and the proposed constitutional amendment that establishes a five-day working day with two weekly days off are among Planalto’s bets for 2026.
Analysts estimate that, despite the optimistic tone of both parties, the negotiations are likely to be long and complex, due to commercial and political differences. Experts interviewed by the press point out that reducing tariffs is a sensitive point, which requires technical consensus and diplomatic balance. For now, Planalto and PT are trying to maintain discretion, betting on the continuity of talks as a sign of strengthening Brazil’s position on the international stage and expanding Lula’s political capital.
