Photo: Palacio do Planalto Flickr.
According to a report by SFGATE, in May 2025, Brazilian President Lula da Silva will meet with his counterparts from Russia and China in their respective capitals: Xi Jinping in Beijing and Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
This announcement comes amid uncertainty over a potential global trade conflict, stemming from recent policies introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump, who plans to impose a series of tariffs on various foreign trade products.
The Brazilian presidential office reported that Lula da Silva is scheduled to arrive in Russia on May 9 to attend the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II. He will then travel to Beijing to participate in the China–Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum on May 12. Additionally, his agenda includes visits to Honduras in April and France in June.
Brazil, China, and Russia maintain strong economic and diplomatic ties as founding members of the BRICS group, established in 2009 as an alternative to the G7, which includes the United States, France, and Japan, among others. Since 2025, Brazil has held the BRICS presidency, and the next group summit is scheduled for July 6–7 in Rio de Janeiro.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that China will host the China-CELAC Forum to strengthen cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean.
In trade relations, China has solidified its position as Brazil’s main partner. In 2024, the People's Republic of China imported nearly 30% of Brazil’s total production and exported around 25% of the goods acquired by Lula’s government. In contrast, the United States ranked second among Brazil’s key trade partners, purchasing 16% of its exports and supplying 12% of its imports. However, the South American country recorded a trade deficit of $283.8 million with Trump's administration.
In response to the new tariffs imposed by the United States, Lula da Silva expressed skepticism about their benefits and voiced concerns over their impact on free trade and multilateralism.
On the other hand, Donald Trump stated that this Wednesday would mark the beginning of a new era, as a wide range of tariffs would take effect, which, according to him, will free the United States from dependence on foreign products.
Main Source:
Lula se reunirá con Putin y Xi en medio de temores de una guerra comercial global – SF Gate
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