Whoever discovers the formula for dealing with Donald Trump must try to patent it, or sell the secret to heads of state and government who have to deal with the White House boss. Cheating him or sucking up to him seems to lead to the same situation: you never quite know what he’s going to do next.
Trump has treated allies worse than historical adversaries, literally depending on how he wakes up, or fails to sleep, as he is very active on social media during the early hours of the morning. Trump can go from slapping to caressing in the same sentence.
It was Lula’s turn to play at his house, at Trump’s house. The issues on the table range from geopolitics – which includes – to trade, including the strong interest of large American companies and include strategic themes, such as the exploration of critical minerals and China’s monopoly in this sector.
Also in this conversation is possibly the regulation of social networks, which for Trump is as much a business problem as it is an ideological one. And arriving – or starting – with the fight against transnational organized crime.
But how does Trump see Brazil? And not just Lula, with whom he said he has good chemistry. Does Trump see Brazil as an important regional ally, with the idea that the Western Hemisphere is reserved for control by the United States? Or do you see it as the great adversary of the Americans? Maybe not even Trump can say.
He thinks he knows exactly what is good for the United States. The problem for Lula – but not just for him – is that Trump thinks he also knows what is good for others.
