Trump and Lula hold phone call to discuss US tariffs on Brazil, sanctions
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his United States counterpart Donald Trump have signalled that relations between their two countries are improving, after months of economic and political tensions.
On Tuesday, the two leaders held a 40-minute phone call that each side described as “productive”.
Reducing trade barriers and tackling organised crime were among the topics they discussed. Both men agreed they would speak again soon.
“I stressed the urgency of strengthening cooperation with the US to combat international organised crime,” Lula said in a social media post following the call.
“President Trump stressed his full willingness to work with Brazil and that he will give full support to joint initiatives between the two countries to confront these criminal organisations.”
Trump, meanwhile, signalled that their conversation built upon a dialogue they had started in September, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City.
“President Lula and I established a relationship at a meeting which took place at the United Nations, and I believe it set the stage for very good dialogue and agreement long into the future,” Trump wrote on his platform, Truth Social.
“I look forward to seeing and speaking with him soon. Much good will come out of this newly formed partnership!”
