Lula is going to Washington with the goal of rebuilding ties with the White House.

By Pedro Paiva, correspondent for Brasil 247 in Washington - President Lula (PT) arrives this Thursday (9) in Washington, United States, with the aim of taking the diplomatic relationship between the two countries out of limbo. More than a meeting focused on signing agreements and making joint statements, the meeting with the American president should serve to renew ties, open debates and build an agenda of bilateral meetings between members of both governments on strategic issues.

The Brazilian delegation will stay at Blair House, a house across from the White House that is sometimes used to host international leaders visiting the country. With 16 bedrooms and embassy-like facilities, the house will serve as a base for Lula's other engagements in Washington. 

>>> Before embarking for the US, Lula speaks of "building partnerships" and "debating actions for peace and against fake news."

At 10:30 am on Friday (10), the Brazilian president will meet with Bernie Sanders, senator and progressive leader. At 11:15 am, he will receive Democratic congressmen. The list of attendees is not yet public, but it is believed that names such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Joaquin Castro are among the participants. Finally, at 12 pm, Lula will receive union leaders from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, with whom he has a long-standing relationship.

At the White House, located less than 100 meters from Blair House, Lula and Janja will be received by Joe and Jill Biden starting at 3:30 PM. In the presence of the press, Biden will greet Lula in the Oval Office, where the two will also hold a closed meeting with Mauro Vieira, Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State, Celso Amorim and his American counterpart. Later, the other Brazilian ministers present and their American counterparts will join for a larger meeting. During this time, Janja will be meeting with First Lady Jill Biden. The entire meeting will last one hour.

Among the topics to be debated, the following stand out: democracy, human rights, the environment, trade, and immigration. Lula is expected to present his viewpoint on the creation of an international body to regulate social media, with the aim of curbing the spread of hate speech and fake news, as well as a monitoring body for compliance with international climate agreements. On the environmental issue, Biden may give some indication of financial support to Brazil and the countries of the Amazon region to support the protection of the forest. So far, no joint statement between the presidents or a press conference with both leaders present has been planned.

At the end of the meeting at Blair House, there will be a press conference with the Brazilian delegation. According to Lula's press office, the president's presence is not yet guaranteed. Brasil 247 and TV 247 will provide complete coverage of the meeting directly from Washington.

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