Following Trump's tariff hikes, Lula prioritizes and accelerates trade agreements with China.
According to an advisor close to the president, the directive is clear: Brazil and China will be "brothers in whatever way possible."
247 - In a meeting with ministers of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) held last week, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) revealed that he has instructed the Chief of Staff, Rui Costa (PT), to expedite all agreements currently under review or pending with China. This information comes from the column. Radar, from Veja magazine.
According to an advisor close to the president, interviewed for this report, the directive was that Brazil and China will be "brothers in whatever way possible." The rapprochement between the two countries, which have been intensifying ties in recent years, is now taking on strategic dimensions, especially in light of the economic policy adopted by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who imposed trade tariffs against Brazil.
According to the report, the Brazilian government's offensive to diversify its partners and reduce its dependence on the United States also involves seeking alternative markets, including among direct competitors of American products. This strategy aims to mitigate the losses imposed on sectors that were not included in the tariff exemptions applied by Washington.
The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) reinforced this warning in a statement delivered to the United States Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent. The document, signed by Ricardo Alban, president of the organization, was sent on July 21, but only came to light this week.
"Now, if these prohibitive tariffs persist, Brazilian and American industries, driven by economic necessity, will be forced to seek alternative markets and supply chains. This is not a threat. It is an economic reality," Alban states in the four-page document, according to the report.
He further warns that "this change would mean that Brazil, a nation now with great economic potential, would be led to prioritize relationships with other global partners." According to Alban, this would result in bilateral losses. "The consequence? We would squander a long-standing and fruitful relationship between our nations, with a true 'lose-lose' situation regarding mutual markets and opportunities for future investments and partnerships with a key democratic ally in the Western Hemisphere."
