In a significant diplomatic encounter, US President Donald Trump hosted Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the White House for a meeting that stretched well beyond its scheduled time. The extended session, which included a working lunch, lasted approximately three hours and was conducted entirely behind closed doors.
Following the meeting, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to offer praise for his Brazilian counterpart. He described Lula as "very dynamic" and characterized the overall encounter as a good meeting. The US president also indicated that follow-up sessions would be arranged in the coming months as circumstances require.
The meeting's extended duration forced a change in the planned media schedule. Originally, both leaders were set to address reporters in the Oval Oval at a specific time, but the session ran nearly an hour longer than anticipated. As a result, the joint press appearance at the White House was canceled.
Instead, President Lula proceeded directly to the Brazilian embassy in Washington, where he was scheduled to speak to the press. This adjustment was made to accommodate the lengthier discussion between the two heads of state and their respective delegations.
Details from inside the meeting painted a positive picture. A Brazilian minister who participated described the atmosphere as "extremely positive." Another participant noted that Trump was unfamiliar with certain Brazilian economic matters, including the Pix payment system and the country's trade deficit, but these topics were explained during the conversation.
An interesting cultural note emerged from the proceedings: President Lula requested that his entire delegation speak Portuguese during the meeting, even those fluent in English. Interpreters were present to facilitate communication between the two teams.
The initial greeting between the two leaders was notably cordial. Observers noted the handshake lacked the aggressive style sometimes associated with Trump's interactions with other world leaders, with one commentator describing it as marked by "softness and gentleness."
The working lunch featured a menu that included romaine salad with citrus dressing, grilled beef fillet with black bean purée, and caramelized peaches with pannacotta tart and cream ice cream for dessert. Based on reporting from g1.