One of the objectives of normalizing relations between Brazil and the United States is to reduce the risks of American interference in next year’s election, said members of the Lula government () this Friday (28).
The main purpose of the negotiations, they say, is to overcome and remove the Magnitsky Law sanctions against STF (Federal Supreme Court) minister Alexandre de Moraes. In the government’s view, however, improving relations with Trump serves as a protection for next year’s election.
A possible and feared situation, for example, would be for a minister of the (Superior Electoral Court) to make a decision in relation to internet platforms to protect the election and the Trump administration to impose sanctions on the grounds that the measure violates freedom of expression or harms an American company.
If relations are better, this acts as a deterrent to possible interference, these officials say.
There is still no date set for the next stage of negotiations between the two countries. Meetings are planned between the minister and his counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio; the Minister of Finance, and the Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, and the Vice President, who is also the Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce, and the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick.
The Brazilian government expected the meeting to be held later this year, but received feedback from the Americans.
A meeting between President Luiz Inácio da Silva and Trump is also planned, although still without a date, next year. In 2026, the PT member will have a modest schedule of international travel, due to the election year, according to a government interlocutor, and will only participate in summits considered mandatory, such as the Brics (India), G20 (USA), COP31 (Turkey), Mercosur (Paraguay) and the UN General Assembly (New York).
There are also two trips planned: to India and Germany. The state visit to India, in February, could be extended to a second country in Asia — the nation is considered a priority within the export diversification strategy, intensified after Trump’s tariffs. At the end of April, Lula will go to Germany, where Brazil will be the honored country at the Hannover Fair.
Additionally, Canadian leaders Mark Carney; from Türkiye, Recep Erdogan; and from South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, are expected to visit Brazil in 2026.
