’Definitive solution’ to US-Brazil trade tussle ‘within days’: Lula after meeting Trump in Malaysia

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced on Monday that a breakthrough trade agreement with the United States could be secured within a matter of days. The move, he suggested, could resolve a period of trade tensions and potentially lead to the easing of punitive tariffs.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian nations (Asean) meeting in Malaysia, President Lula expressed strong optimism following a recent meeting with US President Donald Trump.

“I’m convinced that in a few days we’ll have a definitive solution… between the United States and Brazil, so that life can continue well and happily,” Lula stated.

‘Surprisingly good’ meeting with Trump

President Lula described his meeting with Trump as “surprisingly good” and relayed that Trump had personally assured him that “we are going to have an agreement.”

The diplomatic urgency stems from months of mounting animosity, which included the imposition of 50-percent trade tariffs by the US that Lula had earlier pressed the US President to lift.

Trade wars aside, US sanctions on key Brazilian officials, including a Supreme Court judge, have further strained ties.

These sanctions were framed by Trump as a response to what he termed a “witch hunt” against his close political ally, former far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

When Trump was asked by a reporter on Sunday whether the topic of Bolsonaro factored into his discussions with Lula, he curtly replied, “None of your business.”

Despite the ongoing political friction, President Lula remains confident that the high-level talks have paved the way for a rapid and decisive resolution to the trade dispute.