"Trump wants the rare earth elements, and Brazil should demand more from China," says Elias Jabbour.

247 - Economist and professor Elias Jabbour stated that Brazil is at the center of a geopolitical dispute between the United States and China, with rare earth elements—essential minerals for cutting-edge technologies—as its main strategic asset. This was stated in an interview on the program... good night 247Jabbour warned that US President Donald Trump prioritizes securing US access to these Brazilian resources and argued that the Lula government should use this position to promote a national reindustrialization project.

 “Trump is absolutely clear about what he wants from Brazil: the rare earth elements,” Jabbour stated. “He praises Lula, embraces Lula, but he wants the country’s strategic resources. Brazil should use this to envision a new industrial revolution.”

Rare earth elements are minerals used in the production of semiconductors, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and military equipment. Currently, China dominates about 70% of world production, making this a major point of tension with the United States. According to Jabbour, Trump is trying to reduce Chinese dependence and sees Brazil as an alternative source of supply.

"The US wants our rare earth elements so it doesn't have to depend on China, but Brazil can't just be a raw material supplier. It needs to industrialize, add value, and master the technology," the economist explained.

Jabbour argues that the country should not export raw minerals, but rather establish technological partnerships that guarantee knowledge transfer and job creation.

The professor argues that the trade relationship between Brazil and China needs to evolve from a commodities-based model to one of technological and industrial cooperation. He states that Brazil should take inspiration from African countries which, according to him, are already negotiating with the Chinese, demanding local industrialization.

"Africans are demanding industrialization and technology transfer from China. Why can't Brazil do the same?" he asked.

“We need technological cooperation, not new export corridors,” said Jabbour, who asserted that the new industrial revolution will be defined by the dominance of production chains associated with rare earths, and that Brazil needs to position itself on this global chessboard with sovereignty and state planning.

During the interview, the economist also addressed the increased military presence of the United States in Latin America, especially in the Caribbean region and around Venezuela. He stated that there are signs of preparation for a possible conflict and that Brazil should act diplomatically, using the BRICS—a bloc formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—as a mediating instrument.

"The United States is positioning nuclear bombs pointed at Caracas. There are plans for ground attacks on Colombia and Venezuela. Brazil is a direct target of this, because it is the only BRICS country in Latin America," he warned.

Jabbour argues that the Lula government should resume an active and assertive foreign policy, re-establishing ties with the BRICS and countries of the Global South, in order to confront pressures from Washington without relinquishing sovereignty.

"Brazil should activate the BRICS mechanism to negotiate with the US and avoid a war. Nobody wins with that," he added.