Xi backs Lula’s government, opposes foreign interference in Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by telephone for more than an hour on Sunday, agreeing to accelerate negotiations on a trade agreement between Mercosur and China as both countries seek to strengthen economic ties in the wake of new U.S. tariffs on Brazilian exports.
The exchange highlights Brazil’s accelerating pivot toward China and other non-U.S. markets as the Lula government responds to what it has called a strategic mistake in American trade policy.
Lula detailed the conversation in a post on X on July 27, saying the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in strategic and high-technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, satellites, critical minerals processing and fertilizer trade. He highlighted what he called the “positive results” of bilateral trade and a recent short-term visa waiver, saying the measures “will increase tourist flows and business opportunities.”
“I stressed that our government remains committed to diversifying markets,” Lula wrote.
The phone call came just days after the United States confirmed a 25% tariff on Brazilian exports. In an article published Sunday in The Washington Post, Lula described the tariffs as a “strategic mistake” and said Brazil would pursue alternative markets to expand investment and economic partnerships.
Xi addressed domestic political matters during the call as well. According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese president rejected what he described as external interference in Brazil’s electoral process and expressed Beijing’s willingness to support Lula’s government.
Xi said that under new global circumstances and challenges, China and Brazil, as leading members of the Global South, should uphold historical justice and the progress of civilization while playing a greater role in reforming and improving the global governance system and defending international fairness and justice, Xinhua reported.
According to Xi, China “highly values Brazil’s international standing and significant influence, supports the country in safeguarding its sovereignty and independence, opposes foreign interference and will contribute to maintaining regional and global peace and stability.”
The two leaders also discussed international security issues. Lula said they agreed that “restrictions on freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have harmful effects on the global economy” while discussing the crisis in the Middle East.
Both leaders criticized the inability of the United Nations Security Council to respond effectively to current international crises and reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, according to Lula. They agreed to maintain close coordination on international issues through forums including the United Nations and the BRICS group.
Lula also emphasized the need to advance negotiations on a trade agreement between Mercosur, the South American trade bloc, and China. The acceleration of those discussions comes as Lula has intensified his efforts to diversify Brazil’s trade relationships and pursue alternative markets.