President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday at noon Brasília time. The meeting, which has been in negotiations since January, comes at a moment when the previously strong rapport between the two leaders shows signs of strain.
Both presidents arrive at the table facing significant political headwinds at home. In Brazil, Lula recently suffered two major legislative defeats: the rejection of his Supreme Court nominee and the overturning of a veto on a bill reducing sentences for those convicted in the January 8, 2023 riots. Polls also show him in a statistical tie with right-wing candidates, including Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.
Meanwhile, President Trump is grappling with declining approval ratings driven by public discontent over the ongoing war with Iran and rising inflation, particularly in fuel costs stemming from the Middle East crisis. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll placed his approval at its lowest point during his current term.
From the Brazilian side, the primary objectives are clear. Lula's government seeks to eliminate the remaining tariffs on Brazilian exports, particularly on beef. Officials also aim to persuade the US to drop trade investigations targeting Brazil's economy, including a probe into alleged irregularities involving the Pix instant payment system. Additionally, Brazil wants to maintain a direct communication channel with Trump to counter the influence of Bolsonaro-aligned figures in the United States ahead of Brazil's presidential election.
Brazilian negotiators are also expected to leverage US interest in Brazil's critical mineral reserves as a bargaining chip. In exchange for access, Brazil will demand guarantees that any mining investments include technology transfer and that raw materials be processed domestically rather than exported in their raw state.
Another sensitive topic is the potential US designation of Brazilian criminal factions like the Comando Vermelho and PCC as terrorist organizations. Brazilian diplomats have been working to dissuade Washington from this move, fearing it could open the door to unilateral US military or police operations on Brazilian soil. Convincing Trump to abandon this idea would be considered a significant diplomatic victory for Lula.
On the American side, Trump's agenda focuses on strategic economic interests. The US president wants to lower domestic beef prices, having recognized that tariffs on Brazilian meat have contributed to inflation. He also seeks preferential access to Brazil's critical mineral reserves, potentially with exclusive supply guarantees—a point of contention, as Brazil is reluctant to become a sole supplier to any single nation.
The meeting also offers Trump a chance to project strength on the international stage by hosting another world leader at the White House during a period when his foreign policy, especially regarding Iran, faces both domestic and international criticism. Based on reporting from g1.