Lula and Trump's Diplomatic Breakthrough: Brazilian President Seeks Tariff Removal in First Official Call

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva requested US President Donald Trump to eliminate punitive trade tariffs during their first official conversation on Monday following months of tension, with both leaders suggesting a face-to-face meeting soon.

The two presidents engaged in a 30-minute discussion characterized by a "friendly tone," and Lula proposed the possibility of meeting in person in Malaysia next month, according to a statement from the Brazilian presidency.

During the call, Lula specifically "requested the removal" of tariffs imposed on Brazilian products and sanctions against Brazilian officials.

Trump described the conversation as "a very good telephone call" in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"We will be having further discussions, and will get together in the not too distant future, both in Brazil and the United States," Trump stated.

Relations between Washington and Brasilia have deteriorated in recent months, with Trump expressing anger over the trial and conviction of his ally, former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro.

Trump had implemented a 50-percent tariff on Brazilian products and sanctioned several high-ranking officials, including a Supreme Court judge, in response to what he labeled a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro.

Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who has been assigned to continue negotiations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressed optimism: "We are very optimistic that we will move toward a win-win situation in this relationship."

Alckmin noted that the call had proceeded "even better than we expected" and revealed that the two presidents had exchanged personal phone numbers.

The conversation followed what initially appeared to be a chance encounter on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month, which led Trump to praise his "excellent chemistry" with Lula.

However, Brazilian news outlet Estadao reported that the brief meeting, which included a hug, was actually the result of intensive behind-the-scenes "diplomatic operation."

At the UN, both leaders had exchanged criticisms in their speeches, with Lula condemning an "unacceptable" attack on the independence of Brazil's judiciary.

Despite political and economic pressure, Brazil's Supreme Court sentenced Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for his involvement in an unsuccessful coup attempt following his 2022 election defeat to Lula.

In his UN address, Trump accused Brazil of "censorship, repression" and "judicial corruption."

He later changed his tone, describing Lula as "a very nice man, actually" when recounting their UN encounter.

The two leaders hold fundamentally different positions on issues including multilateralism, international trade, and climate change initiatives.

Lula has consistently maintained that Brazil was "ready to negotiate" regarding tariffs, but complained there was "no one to talk to" in Washington.

A European diplomat, speaking anonymously to AFP, stated: "The Brazilian government has struggled to find channels for discussion with the US administration."

The diplomat revealed that major Brazilian companies, such as Embraer and meat producer JBS, were pressuring "US authorities to change their stance toward Brazil."

According to the Brazilian presidency, Lula proposed meeting Trump in person at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia in October.

He also renewed his invitation for Trump to attend the COP-30 climate conference in Brazil's Amazon city of Belem in November, "and also expressed his willingness to travel to the United States."