Lula rebukes Washington at UN, yet finds surprise US opening

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva used the UN rostrum on Tuesday to excoriate Washington over tariffs and military actions, promote closer ties with China, and call for reform of global institutions – only to be met moments later by an unexpected olive branch from US President Donald Trump, who proposed meeting the Brazilian leader next week.

Lula’s address came against the backdrop of sharp tensions with the United States, including 50 per cent tariffs on imports from Brazil, which Trump has imposed in response to “unfair barriers” and the trial of former leader Jair Bolsonaro.

Brasília denounced the tariff move as “irresponsible” and has weighed retaliation under its new Reciprocity Law, with analysts saying the measure was driving Brazil closer to China, which buys raw materials but not the manufactured goods the US absorbs.

The biggest surprise of Lula’s address, however, came from the man who followed him. Despite repeated direct and indirect criticisms of the United States and of measures taken by Trump, the American president used his own speech to the General Assembly to announce that he planned to meet the Brazilian leader next week to discuss security and trade.

Trump told reporters that he and Lula had “excellent chemistry” during a brief encounter after the Brazilian president’s speech.

“We had a good talk, and we agreed to meet next week,” he said. “He seemed like a very nice man … At least for about 39 seconds, we had excellent chemistry. It’s a good sign.”

South China Morning Post