Trump meets with Brazilian leader Lula in Malaysia amid trade tensions

President Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met on Sunday in Malaysia amid trade tensions between the two countries.

“President Trump meets with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in [Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)] Summit,” the White House account posted on the social media platform X on Sunday, accompanying a photo of the two leaders.

The Brazilian president said the meeting went well, also noting that the two countries’ teams would “immediately” begin tariff discussions and beyond, according to Reuters.

According to the White House post

Trump and Lula discussed tariffs during a phone call earlier this month, which the two leaders described as a good step toward improving relations.

During the call, Lula asked Trump to get rid of the additional 40% tariffs he imposed this summer on the impeachment of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged plan to retain power after losing the election. The new tariff raised the previous rate from 10% to 50%.

Tensions between Brazil and Trump have been high in part over Bolsonaro’s trial, which Trump has criticized as a “witch hunt,” a phrase he has also used to describe the cases against him.

In an op-ed published by The New York Times in September, Lula responded to these statements, while calling Trump’s definitions illogical and misleading.

Trump’s tariff policy since his return to office in January has strained relations with many countries, including allies such as Canada and the European Union. It also shook markets and increased economic uncertainty. Trump said the tariffs would save the country by helping domestic manufacturers and enhancing national security.

On Saturday, Trump imposed a tariff on Canada of 10% plus the previous rate following an ad opposing the tariffs that aired amid the World Series, in which Canada’s Toronto Blue Jays are playing.

The Canadian Declaration includes various parts of a 1987 speech by former President Reagan on “free and fair trade.”