Rio de Janeiro — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Brazilian Finance Minister Dario Dorrigan said on Wednesday that his country will discuss cooperation in combating organized crime and customs duties with US President Donald Trump, one day before the scheduled meeting between the two presidents.
“The goal is to protect the population of Brazil, give priority to the country, and maintain constructive dialogue,” Dorrigan told state radio ABC. “The outlook for the trip is very positive.”
The meeting at the White House comes in the wake of a crisis in bilateral relations last year, after the Trump administration impose a 50% tariff Regarding Brazilian goods and linking this procedure to the trial of the former president Jair Bolsonaro For his involvement in a coup plot.
Lula has strongly defended Brazil’s and Trump’s sovereignty Later softened Definitions on Brazil As part of his efforts to reduce consumer costs for Americans.
Trump and Lula began mending relations at the UN General Assembly in September, which was followed by their first private meeting in Malaysia in October and subsequent phone talks.
Ana Garcia, a professor of international relations at the Federal National Rural University in Rio de Janeiro, said the Brazilian government’s handling of the 50% tariff would likely increase the country’s leverage with the Trump administration.
“The Trump administration will likely view Brazil as a partner that should be taken somewhat seriously, but will continue to pressure it to compromise,” Garcia said.
One continuing point of contention between the two governments is the Trump administration’s reported consideration of designating Brazil’s largest criminal factions — the Red Command, or CV, and the First Capital Command, or PCC — as foreign terrorist organizations.
The designations would give the United States more power “to act as a political or economic player in Brazil,” said Leonardo Paz Neves, a professor of international relations at the Getúlio Vargas Foundation, a think tank and university. “It is a defensive issue for Brazil and does not serve Brazil’s interests at all.”
A Brazilian government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to discuss the matter publicly, said both sides appeared committed to deepening cooperation in the fight against organized crime rather than opting for unilateral measures.
Another major item that is likely to be on the agenda for the meeting is access to Brazil Rare earth deposits. The South American country has the world’s second-largest reserve of rare earth minerals, which are used in a wide range of products, including smartphones, electric cars, solar panels and jet engines.
Dorrigan reiterated on Wednesday Brazil’s position that the country does not want to be just an exporter of raw materials.
“The countries of the Global North… are thirsty for this raw material.” Dorrigan said. But “while we welcome foreign investment, we want industrial development within Brazil: job creation in partnership with our universities.”
The visit to the United States comes in light of a difficult internal scenario for Lula, who last week was subjected to two blows inflicted by Congress. Lower house Overriding the veto Regarding a law seeking to reduce Bolsonaro’s prison term, the Senate approved this His nomination was rejected To the Supreme Court – for the first time in more than 100 years.
The 80-year-old leader He will seek a fourth non-consecutive term In the October elections. Opinion polls currently show him neck-and-neck with Flavio, Bolsonaro’s son, the senator.
Lula departed for Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon local time, and is expected to arrive in the evening.
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