Check out the highlights from President Lula's interview with the press in Malaysia
President detailed progress on agreements with Malaysia, celebrated his birthday, commented on his meeting with Donald Trump, and predicted a quick solution to tariffs
247 - President Lula gave a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, at the end of his official visit to the country. The trip marked the strengthening of bilateral relations, the signing of new agreements, and a positive resumption of trade dialogue with the United States, following a meeting with President Donald Trump.
Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira opened the press conference by highlighting that Lula's visit "raised Brazil's relationship with Malaysia to a new and higher level." He recalled that it had been three decades since a Brazilian president had visited the country and emphasized the economic importance of the partnership. "More than 100 Brazilian businesspeople came to Malaysia and participated in meetings with leaders of 20 of the largest local companies," he stated.
Among the concrete results, Mauro Vieira announced the signing of a cooperation agreement in the semiconductor industry—a sector in which Malaysia is the world's sixth-largest exporter—and new instruments in the areas of science, technology, space research, information technology, diplomat training, and agriculture. The minister also highlighted Malaysian support for Brazil's presidency of COP30 and Brazil's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Academic recognition and regional integration
During the visit, President Lula received an honorary doctorate from the National University of Malaysia, in recognition of his contribution to international development and cooperation in the Global South. "This is a recognition not only of me, but of all the Brazilian people," declared the president.
Lula was also the first Brazilian head of state to participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, where he celebrated Timor-Leste's entry as the bloc's 11th member. According to the president, "Southeast Asia is the epicenter of global growth and a hub of technological innovation, priorities of Brazilian foreign policy."
Meeting with Donald Trump and tariff negotiations
The most anticipated point of the press conference was Lula's account of his meeting with Donald Trump, the President of the United States. "The meeting took place in a very cordial atmosphere," reported Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. Lula explained that he requested the suspension of tariffs imposed on Brazil and advocated for direct dialogue: "Now there are no more intermediaries. It's President Lula with President Trump. Whether we like each other or not, we have to act as heads of state."
The executive secretary of the Ministry of Development, Márcio Rosa, confirmed the progress of the negotiations: “President Trump instructed his team to reach an agreement with Brazil in a few weeks.” Lula stated that he was “very optimistic” about the outcome and said he believed that “in a few days there will be a definitive solution between the United States and Brazil.”
Birthday and trip review
In a relaxed tone, Lula recalled that he turned 80 during the trip. “I have never felt so alive and with such a desire to live. I hope to reach 120,” he joked. He assessed the visit as “another successful trip by the Brazilian government abroad” and praised the Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, whom he called “an extraordinarily pleasant figure, who likes Brazil and wants to have a very strong relationship with the Brazilian people.”
Lula also highlighted the importance of the presence of Brazilian businesspeople on international missions: “The President of the Republic doesn’t conduct business. He merely opens doors so that businesspeople can do business.”
Trade expansion and energy transition
The president emphasized that Brazil's trade with Indonesia and Malaysia, currently around US$12 billion, "is very little considering the economic potential of these countries." He urged Brazilian ministers and business leaders to be more daring: "Instead of being on WhatsApp every day, they need to travel the world to sell what Brazil produces."
Lula also highlighted foreign interest in the Brazilian energy model: “There is a great willingness to learn about the energy transition that Brazil is considering. A country that has almost 90% of its electricity from renewable sources and that advocates for the end of fossil fuels.”
Relationship with China and defense of multipolarity
When questioned by a British journalist about China's role on the global stage, Lula stated that Brazil "has no preference for any particular country" and advocated for balance: "We want to maintain a very good relationship with the United States and a very good relationship with China. We do not accept a new Cold War."
He added that trade with the Chinese has been growing and will continue to do so: "Everything that China needs to buy, Brazil has to sell." The president reiterated that Brazil seeks to expand partnerships with all blocs, mentioning the resumption of the Mercosur-European Union agreement and new negotiations with Indonesia, Malaysia, and ASEAN.
Peace and active diplomacy
Lula concluded the interview by reaffirming his commitment to peace and diplomacy. “Brazil is peace and love. We don't want war, we want negotiation. We don't want chaos, we want results.” He also highlighted the country's role in seeking diplomatic solutions to conflicts like those in Venezuela and Ukraine, proposing “dialogue and mediation, not the logic of weapons.”
The press conference concluded Lula's agenda in Malaysia, which included participation in the East Asia Summit and a dinner offered in his honor by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The president returns to Brazil after three days of engagements in Asia, with the prospect of new trade agreements and technological cooperation.
