Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Sunday that he had a productive meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, and both sides agreed to begin immediate discussions on tariffs and other trade-related issues.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in an effort to ease tensions following Trump’s August decision to raise tariffs on most Brazilian exports to the U.S. from 10% to 50%. “We agreed that our teams will meet immediately to seek solutions regarding tariffs and sanctions against Brazilian officials,” Lula said in a social media post after the meeting.
Trump had previously linked the tariff hike to what he described as a “witch hunt” against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The U.S. had also imposed sanctions on several Brazilian officials, including Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw Bolsonaro’s trial on charges of attempting a coup.
Before Sunday’s meeting, Trump indicated optimism about reaching an agreement with Lula, saying, “I think we should be able to make some pretty good deals for both countries.” Lula had earlier criticised the tariff increase, calling it a “mistake,” pointing out that the U.S. has maintained a $410 billion trade surplus with Brazil over the past 15 years.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira confirmed that talks with the U.S. delegation — which included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer — would begin immediately. “We will establish a negotiation schedule and define the sectors to be discussed so that we can move forward,” Vieira said, adding that Brazil had requested the suspension of tariffs during the negotiation process, though it was unclear whether Washington had agreed.
The U.S. tariffs have already disrupted the global beef trade, increasing prices domestically and pushing some exports to reroute through third countries such as Mexico, while Brazilian exports to China — its largest beef market — have surged.
Brazil’s beef industry association, Abiec, welcomed the meeting between Trump and Lula, saying the talks could help preserve Brazil’s export competitiveness and expand its beef market access in the United States.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 2nd of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Democrat Zohran Mamdani officially took office as New York City’s mayor on Thursday, beginning his term with a public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall.
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of targeting civilians during New Year attacks, as intensified fighting coincided with U.S.-led efforts to push both sides towards ending the nearly four-year war.
Dozens of people are feared dead and around 100 others injured after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, authorities said.
At least 47 people were killed and 112 injured after a fire broke out at a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Italian media on Thursday.
India has approved a major arms deal with Israel valued at approximately $8.7 billion, highlighting the deepening defence partnership between the two countries.
Russian athletes will not be allowed to represent their country at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in an interview with an Italian newspaper.
India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged lists of nuclear facilities as well as civilian prisoners, under long-standing bilateral agreements, according to official statements from both countries.
The United Nations on Friday voiced serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, warning that rising violence is increasingly affecting civilians.
Ukrainian officials reported on Friday that thousands of children and their parents were evacuated from frontline areas in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions as Russian forces continued to advance.
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Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Doha, has again urged the United Nations to transfer Afghanistan’s seat at the UN to the Taliban-led administration, arguing the current arrangement no longer reflects realities in the country.
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