brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday expressed confidence that his country and the United States would reach a trade deal. President of the United States Donald Trump It also suggests that a deal is possible.
The statements came a day after talks between the two presidents During the regional summit in Kuala LumpurIn the Malaysian capital, Lula described it as a “very good meeting”.
Trump, who traveled to Japan from Malaysia, also said he and Lula “had a great meeting” on Sunday.
“We’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo. “They want to make a deal.”
Trump has previously said he could lower tariffs on Brazil, which he enacted to boost trade. Clemency for imprisoned former Brazilian presidenta Trump ally.
“I think we should be able to get some good deals for both countries,” Trump said after meeting Lula.
Lula said he submitted a written document to Trump outlining his arguments against the U.S. tariffs. Lula said he recognized the U.S.’s right to implement these measures and that his move was based on “misinformation.”
Lula said Trump did not commit to suspending tariffs and did not put forward any conditions during the talks.
“He assured me that we would reach an agreement,” Lula told a news conference through an interpreter. “I’m very confident that within a few days we will reach a resolution.”
The Trump administration imposed 40% tariffs on Brazilian products in July, building on an earlier 10% tariff increase. USA Justify tariffs Calling out Brazil’s policies and criminal prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro constitutes an economic emergency.
Bolsonaro was recently found guilty of attempted coup by a panel of Brazil’s Supreme Court after losing his bid for re-election in 2022. Sentenced him to about 27 years in prison.
Lula said he reminded Trump again that Brazil is one of three G20 industrialized and emerging market countries with which the United States maintains a trade surplus. According to statistics, the U.S. trade surplus with Brazil last year was US$6.8 billion. Census Bureau.
He also noted that Bolsonaro received a fair trial and that his case should not be a factor in their trade negotiations.
“Bolsonaro is a thing of the past in Brazilian history,” he said.
Lula said he had also offered to help mediate the crisis in Venezuela, where President Nicolas Maduro has accused the United States of waging war against him after Washington sent the world’s largest warship to Venezuela.
Lula, who celebrated his 80th birthday on Monday, said he felt he was at the peak of his life and hoped to live to be 120. He was in Kuala Lumpur for the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as a guest of the Malaysian presidency, which hopes to deepen the region’s trade ties with Latin America.
Trump, 79, also wished Lula a happy birthday on Air Force One, calling the Brazilian president “a very dynamic person.”
“I’m very impressed,” Trump said.
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Associated Press writer Christopher Megerian in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, contributed to this report.