At the ASEAN summit, Lula da Silva and Trump agreed to start negotiations to lift tariffs and sanctions.

On Sunday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Donald Trump met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur.

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“We addressed the bilateral trade and economic agenda frankly and constructively. We agreed that our teams will meet immediately to seek solutions on tariffs and sanctions,” Lula posted on social media.

The meeting marks a turning point in bilateral relations, which had reached their lowest point in decades after Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian products and applied sanctions under the Magnitsky Act against officials from the South American country.

“President Lula began by saying there was no issue that could not be discussed and requested to suspend the tariffs imposed on Brazilian exports during a negotiation period. It was also requested the suspension of the use of the Magnitsky Act,” said Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.

The U.S. president pledged to instruct his team to begin a process of negotiations aimed at resolving some friction points “in a short time.” However, the most significant geopolitical aspect of the conversation was the reaffirmation of Brazil’s role as a conciliatory actor in the region.

Diplomat Vieira said that Lula brought up the issue of Venezuela, emphasized that Latin America seeks to remain a region of peace, and expressed his willingness to mediate between Washington and the Bolivarian Revolution.

“He was prepared to act as a contact or interlocutor, as he has done in the past with Venezuela, to seek solutions that are mutually acceptable and fair,” Vieira said, positioning Brazil as a potential bridge between the United States and Venezuela at a time of high international tension.

The tone of the meeting was described as cordial and relaxed. Vieira mentioned that Trump “said he admired President Lula’s political career,” in a clear reference to Lula’s imprisonment and later acquittal.

Both leaders agreed to future reciprocal visits, with Trump expressing his desire to visit Brazil and Lula accepting a future invitation to the United States. “President Trump said he admires Brazil, that he likes Brazil immensely and the Brazilian people,” Vieira added.

In the meeting, the Brazilian president laid the groundwork to overcome the impasses caused by Trump’s trade war and reiterated Brazil’s stance on the regional geopolitical situation.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – teleSUR

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