By Cui Xingyu, reporter for CGTN, special to Brasil 247 – Over the past decade, China and Latin America have built a dynamic partnership marked by deepening economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and mutual understanding. From the launch of the Chancay Port in Peru — a key logistics hub linking the Asia-Pacific region — to the construction of Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro, Colombia’s first railway project, the shared ambition between both sides has materialized in concrete progress on the ground. Beyond infrastructure, it is the lived experiences of individuals that truly strengthen this growing bond. Through their personal journeys, we see how two geographically distant regions can — and are — building meaningful connections. <h3>A Brazilian scholar’s lifelong bond with China</h3> For Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, head of the Brazil–China Research Group at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, China is more than an object of academic study. His connection with the country began in 2013. Driven by a deep curiosity about different legal systems and a growing interest in Brazil’s largest trading partner, Carvalho arrived in Shanghai as a visiting researcher. His three-year stay provided him with a radically different perspective on China compared to the one often portrayed by Western media. What began as an academic inquiry soon became a deep engagement with Chinese society, culture, and governance. Since then, Carvalho has returned to China frequently, with each visit enriching his understanding of the country. In 2023, he spent nearly a year at Peking University, deepening both his research and personal experiences. He currently serves as the Wutong Chair Professor at Beijing Language and Culture University and remains committed to fostering intercultural dialogue. He also brings his insights into the classroom in Brazil, encouraging a new generation of students to explore and understand China beyond stereotypes. Outside academia, he translated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s book Up and Out of Poverty into Portuguese, making it accessible to Brazilian readers. He is also the author of China: Tradition and Modernity in the Country’s Governance, which offers local readers a detailed and accessible view of China. In 2023, Carvalho was awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award — the highest honor given to foreign experts in China.  <figure><img src="https://cdn.brasil247.com/pb-b247gcp/swp/jtjeq9/media/20250413050452_edcc4c6f97fd02406827179805a92a71b4b21441315020cdbcf2fc37f58e6b10.png" data-media-id="editor_0" data-image-id="20250413050452_edcc4c6f97fd02406827179805a92a71b4b21441315020cdbcf2fc37f58e6b10" data-rendition-name="original" width="2698" height="2058" loading="lazy" alt="Evandro Menezes de Carvalho"><figcaption>Evandro Menezes de Carvalho(Photo: Divulgação)</figcaption></figure>  Evandro Menezes de Carvalho (left) receives the Chinese Government Friendship Award at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, February 4, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Evandro Menezes de Carvalho <h3>A Peruvian entrepreneur’s business success in China</h3> In Yiwu, a bustling city in China’s eastern Zhejiang Province — known as the “world capital of small commodities” — Harold Mori, a young entrepreneur from Peru, is building a thriving export business. Like many others, Mori’s journey began with the goal of studying abroad. Fresh out of university, he wanted to learn a new language and quickly chose China as his destination. In 2015, he arrived in Shanghai to study Chinese, later pursuing an MBA in the city. Immersed in the country’s dynamic urban life, Mori became fascinated by the constantly evolving market. After finishing his studies, he made a bold decision: instead of returning to Peru, he stayed and launched a business in nearby Yiwu. There, he found a golden opportunity — an abundance of competitively priced products. From phone accessories and toys to kitchenware and small appliances, Mori’s business specializes in exporting popular Chinese goods to Peru. Now, with the launch of Chancay Port — a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative — shipping time from China to Peru has been cut to around 20 days. For entrepreneurs like Mori, this means more than faster deliveries: it signals the opening of new opportunities and a future full of potential. <h3>A Chinese doctor’s healing mission in Argentina</h3> In the heart of Buenos Aires, Dr. Li Wenzhong has become a pioneer in building cultural bridges through the healing power of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). As the founder of a TCM clinic and pharmaceutical company, he introduced acupuncture, herbal therapies, and diagnostic techniques to patients far from his hometown of Beijing. His journey to Argentina began in the 1980s, during the early period of China’s reform and opening-up. With the vision of sharing the benefits of TCM with the world, he moved to Buenos Aires and began practicing medicine in a completely different cultural setting. At the time, head lice infestations were a common public health issue in Argentina, especially among school-age children. Conventional treatments were often ineffective and caused unwanted side effects. After months of research and clinical trials, Dr. Li developed a TCM-based treatment that proved safe and effective. The therapy quickly gained popularity and earned the trust of local families. He later turned his focus to education and cultural exchange, becoming a visiting professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Buenos Aires, where he introduced TCM to a new generation of Argentine students. Between 2012 and 2015, with Dr. Li’s support, Argentina’s Ministry of Health sent several delegations to China to explore partnerships in the field of TCM. These exchanges laid the foundation for broader public health cooperation between the two countries. <h3>Geographically distant, united at heart</h3> “True friends always feel close, no matter how far apart they may be.” Chinese President Xi Jinping once cited this line from an ancient Chinese poem to describe the relationship between China and Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2012, China has been the region’s second-largest trading partner, with cooperation extending beyond raw materials and manufactured goods to include green energy, digital innovation, and cross-border e-commerce. Over the past decade, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has given new momentum to this partnership. To date, 22 countries in the region have signed cooperation agreements with China under the BRI, deepening integration and opening new paths for mutual development. These real-life stories are powerful reminders that although oceans may separate continents, shared aspirations and enduring friendships can bring people even closer. Cui Xingyu is a reporter for CGTN and host of the podcast “Footprints” – which explores personal stories behind China’s global connections.

Redação Brasil 247

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English

China deepens ties with Latin America through cultural, commercial and human connections

By Leonardo Attuch
The appointment of former Central Bank president Roberto Campos Neto as vice-chairman and global head of public policy at Nubank is a striking example of the practice known as the “revolving door,” in which public officials, upon leaving strategic positions, take on prominent roles in companies directly benefited by their previous decisions — something that can also be classified as postdated corruption.
The announcement of his hiring came directly from Grand Cayman, in the Cayman Islands — a jurisdiction widely recognized as a tax haven and where Nu Holdings is based. The formalization of the appointment in offshore territory further intensifies ethical and political concerns. What is at stake is not just a career change, but the very real risk that Campos Neto’s previous tenure at the Central Bank may have already been covertly aligned with the interests of the private group that now welcomes him.
During his time at the Central Bank, Campos Neto was responsible for implementing policies that greatly boosted the growth of fintechs in Brazil. Measures such as the launch of Pix, the expansion of open finance, and the development of Drex (digital real) had positive aspects but disproportionately favored fintechs and lacked regulatory and supervisory mechanisms equivalent to those required of traditional banks.
This deregulated environment allowed for the rapid rise of digital companies, many of which operated without adequate transparency or oversight. There have been numerous financial scandals involving fintechs, including fraud against consumers and predatory lending practices. Nubank, Campos Neto’s new employer, may have been one of the beneficiaries.
In addition to the deregulated promotion of fintechs, Campos Neto was one of the main supporters of Constitutional Amendment Proposal No. 65, which aims to weaken institutional oversight tools over the financial system and could directly undermine the role of notary offices in Brazil as instruments of public trust. The initiative has been widely criticized by experts and civil society for reducing the State’s capacity to supervise financial operations and ensure legal security.
These moves, combined with his immediate transition to an influential executive role at Nubank, raise legitimate doubts about the line between public policy and private interests. The statement from Nu Holdings to the U.S. SEC confirms that the transition had been coordinated in advance, despite public claims of compliance with the legally required quarantine period.
Moreover, Campos Neto was at the center of another unprecedented and troubling fact: he was the first president of the Central Bank to remain in office even after admitting to having personal investments in companies located in tax havens. The acceptance of such a conflict of interest by Brazil’s institutional structure set a serious precedent. His direct link to Nu Holdings — also based in the Cayman Islands — deepens this contradiction and points to a pattern of behavior that prioritizes transnational interests over Brazil’s regulatory sovereignty. What is at stake is not only the institutional image of the Central Bank but the credibility of the Brazilian State as a whole in the face of a financial system that has grown increasingly influential.
Another relevant factor is Nubank's history as a sponsor of far-right content in Brazil. The company’s presence in the country’s digital ecosystem has gone beyond finance and into the promotion of political agendas that attack democratic institutions and engage in historical revisionism, as seen in its association with the platform Brasil Paralelo. The link between a former Central Bank president and a company with such a record reinforces the perception of state capture by both private and ideological interests.
If Campos Neto had already been under criticism for imposing exorbitant interest rates on Brazil, the ethical issue now adds to the concern — and should serve as a warning to his successor. The appointment of Gabriel Galípolo as Central Bank president was met with high expectations by sectors advocating for a fairer and more sovereign development model. However, so far, the abusive interest rate policy imposed on the country has not been reversed. The basic interest rate remains high — potentially rising to 14.75% per year — continuing to stifle economic activity, discourage investment, and increase inequality.
It remains to be seen whether Galípolo will represent a true break from Campos Neto’s legacy or follow the same path of subordination to financial capital interests, which cases like Nubank’s exemplify.
The “revolving door” between state and market, when operated without scrutiny or ethical limits, undermines trust in institutions and weakens the country’s ability to build a nation-oriented project for the common good. Campos Neto’s case merely exposes a long-standing problem that has now reached its most scandalous point.

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Campos Neto's move from the Central Bank to Nubank is the most scandalous revolving door case in Brazil's history

247 – The Minister of Planning and Budget, Simone Tebet, said in an interview with TV 247 this Monday (May 5) that the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States has created "uncertainties."
Despite the impact of trade tariffs, the Brazilian economy will remain resilient and growth projections will be maintained, Tebet stated. “In light of this, many tectonic plates will shift internally. We are optimistic about Brazil's growth,” she said.
“We are presenting the numbers of the Budget Guidelines Law (LDO) with great firmness and confidence,” she added, referring to the fiscal framework that forecasts a GDP growth of 2.31% for this year and 2.5% for 2026.
Regarding the tariffs imposed by Trump on Brazil, the minister criticized what she called the "chauvinistic, nationalist and completely misguided view of the American government."
In the global "tariff surge" announced by Trump in April, Brazil was hit with a 10% surcharge on all exports to the U.S.

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Government remains optimistic about GDP growth despite Trump’s tariffs, says Tebet

Joaquim de Carvalho
The Argentinians who staged a theatrical invasion of the Brazilian company JBS's headquarters in São Paulo were released by the Federal Police, despite the seriousness of the act. Yes, it is serious, as there appear to be geopolitical interests behind the operation — a pattern seen before in Operation Greenfield, considered a "sister" of Lava Jato.
This time, the attack on the Brazilian company is led by Greenpeace, a global NGO with vast financial resources that funds spectacular actions like the one on Tuesday in São Paulo.
The Greenpeace action comes at a moment when JBS gains international prominence, recently receiving approval from U.S. authorities to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange — in addition to already trading on Brazil’s B3. This week, it became one of the most valuable companies on the Brazilian exchange, alongside Petrobras and Vale.
Years ago, JBS acquired Swift, a U.S. capitalism icon. Not long after, federal prosecutors in Brazil began investigations into the company, supported by another foreign NGO: Transparency International.
Greenpeace has no convictions for traditional corruption, but is known for raising large sums from individuals through campaigns that seek public attention, even when not necessarily grounded in facts.
Founded in 1971 in Canada, after protesting U.S. nuclear tests, Greenpeace gained fame in 1975 with global images of its activists trying to stop whaling on the high seas.
What seems to matter most to Greenpeace is visibility — which drives donations. It is estimated the organization raises over R$1 billion annually worldwide and pays its directors well.
On Tuesday, its activists executed a cinematic stunt: using ladders and ropes to reach the rooftop of a JBS warehouse and hang banners — a tactic indicating training.
Their cause lacks consistency. They accuse JBS of being complicit in deforestation. Yet, in its own document, Greenpeace admits it cannot prove JBS directly sourced cattle from deforested areas.
“It is not possible to confirm that the cattle from Tiborna Farm (Pará) were the same slaughtered by JBS. However, without full control over the supply chain, there is a high chance of contamination by deforestation,” the report says.
JBS has worked with the Agriculture Ministry to implement full traceability — something that actually aligns with the company's interest, especially as it exports to Europe, where failure to ensure compliance could lead to boycotts.
Patrick Moore, a Greenpeace co-founder who left the organization in 2006, exposed how the NGO began prioritizing sensationalism and fear tactics over science and reasoned discourse.
“They (the directors) used the organization for 'pop environmentalism' based on sensationalism, misinformation, and fear — appealing emotionally rather than intellectually,” he said.
Why?
“Because the environmental movement became more political than environmental,” Moore explained.
“They mainly focus on creating narratives to instill fear and guilt in the public so that people send them money,” he added.
In March, Greenpeace was sentenced by a U.S. court to pay over $660 million due to a protest against Energy Transfer aimed at blocking a pipeline in North Dakota. Jurors ruled that the NGO abused freedom of speech by spreading lies and engaging in violent acts. Greenpeace is appealing and has threatened to exit the U.S. if the appeal fails.
In the JBS invasion, a crime occurred — property was violated, and lives were endangered. If a security guard had reacted with force, possibly even with a firearm, it could have been deemed self-defense.
The activists scaled a tall gate and stormed into a room where a shareholder meeting was underway. Security tried to physically contain them — but the outcome could have been worse.
By releasing the invaders, the Federal Police missed an opportunity to investigate further. Still, it’s not too late. Authorities must determine how the operation was planned and whether it was influenced by external interests.
Former senator and Agriculture Minister Kátia Abreu commented on social media:
“Greenpeace needed the spotlight. They're fading and entangled in scandals. JBS is a Brazilian company — the world’s largest in animal protein. That hurts the gringos.”
She has a point.
So far, the Federal Police have refused to confirm whether an investigation was even opened. It is the duty of the State, through the PF, to do so. Failing to act would amount to dereliction of duty.

Greenpeace acts dishonestly: lies to attack company in Brazil and attract donations

247 – During his trip to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met in Rome with journalist and programmer Julian Assange. The meeting was disclosed by the president himself in a social media post this Monday (28). In his post, Lula celebrated Assange's health condition and emphasized the importance of the support provided by the late spiritual leader in the campaign that culminated in the release of the WikiLeaks founder. “Last Friday (April 25), I met in Rome with journalist and programmer Julian Assange. We discussed Pope Francis' engagement in the cause of freedom of expression and the defense of democracy. It was after the audience granted by the Pope to Assange’s wife and children in 2023 that the campaign for his release gained new momentum," Lula said.
The president also highlighted his joy in seeing Assange in good health and rebuilding his personal and professional life after years of suffering and imprisonment. “I was very happy to see that Assange is healthy and rebuilding his family and professional life. He is an example for everyone who fights for freedom of the press and human rights,” he added.
The meeting between Lula and Assange carries strong symbolism. Both received, at different times, public demonstrations of solidarity from Pope Francis while being political prisoners. Known for his defense of human rights and critical stance against injustices, Pope Francis played a key role in boosting international movements against lawfare.
The release of Julian Assange, who faced serious risk of extradition and conviction, is internationally seen as a historic victory for independent journalism and the right to information. Lula’s gesture of meeting him in Rome reinforces the centrality of the issue of press freedom in Brazilian foreign policy, especially at a time of global democratic reaffirmation.&nbsp;

Lula celebrates meeting with Julian Assange in Rome and hails him as a hero of freedom of expression

247 – The British magazine The Economist has corrected a portion of an article published on April 16, which had been widely circulated by the far-right bolsonarista movement, regarding the role of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) in confronting anti-democratic acts.
The coup-related attacks are being judged under due legal process, and the British magazine omitted key facts.
A statement attributed to STF President Luís Roberto Barroso regarding the 2022 election led him to release an official note refuting The Economist.
The original version of the article claimed, in addition to criticizing Justice Alexandre de Moraes, that Barroso had supposedly said the Court had “defeated Jair Bolsonaro.”
The corrected version now clarifies that the minister was referring to the defeat of the far-right bolsonarista movement, not the former president personally.
Barroso made the statement on July 13, 2023, during an event organized by the National Union of Students (UNE), in which he said: 
 “We defeated censorship, torture and bolsonarismo to make democracy and free expression possible for everyone.”
Last Saturday, the STF issued a public note refuting The Economist’s report, which criticizes the Court’s actions against coup supporters and directly targets Justice Moraes.
The Economist omitted the fact that Brazilian democracy, with vital support from the STF, resisted serious threats from the far-right.
The STF’s statement emphasizes that coup attempts are being judged under due legal process. Public confidence in the Court remains high. According to Barroso, the Court’s decisions were based on crimes, and its actions toward foreign digital platforms resulted from their lack of legal representation in Brazil.
“The article’s focus aligns more with the narrative of those who attempted the coup than with the actual fact that Brazil lives in a full democracy, with rule of law, checks and balances, and respect for fundamental rights,” the note states.
One of last week’s articles also accused Moraes of “concentrating excessive power.”
In its note, the STF defended the minister, citing his “commitment and courage.”
The Economist even suggested the Court should adopt more “moderation,” and accused Moraes of leading a “personal campaign.” At the same time, the magazine acknowledged: 
 “He receives constant death threats. These threats seem to reinvigorate him and have given his decisions an absolutist tone.”
The articles were published amid the imminent conviction of Jair Bolsonaro by the Supreme Court for leading the attempted coup d’état on January 8, 2023.

The Economist backtracks after Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) refutes report

247 – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defended this Tuesday (22) the unity of Latin American countries in response to the tariffs imposed on the region's economies by United States President Donald Trump.
Lula argued that the current priority must be “to ensure economic stability” in order to navigate what he described as an “adverse political world,” both domestically and internationally.
"I am seriously concerned about what is happening in the world today," the president emphasized during a speech at the Brazil-Chile Business Forum in Brasília, organized by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) and attended by Chilean President Gabriel Boric.
Lula warned that some wars have started precisely due to trade disputes, and went on to criticize the trade tariffs imposed by Trump.
He also expressed skepticism about the future of globalization:
"I heard the narrative that globalization was the solution to all of humanity's problems. I confess, I find it very strange that the country which, since World War II, has symbolized democracy and free trade, has now made a U-turn and is promoting the largest commercial taxation policy the world has ever seen, supposedly in defense of something unknown and under the assumption that multilateralism is being thrown in the trash, replaced by protectionism — which has never helped anyone."
In the face of this hostile scenario, Lula warned against a new Cold War and stated that Brazil will not take sides. "No country in the world is interested in a Cold War," he said.
Instead, Lula said, Brazil will promote regional integration based on open and sovereign commercial relations.
In this context, he called for greater unity among Latin American countries: "We must form a bloc like the European Union, like ASEAN, with institutions that provide security. We need to build institutional structures regardless of who holds the presidency."
"Entrepreneurs across the region must seek financing in each other's countries, taking advantage of all complementarities to foster growth," the president added. "For many decades we waited for the U.S. and Europe to make us rich, then we waited for China. But what we really need is to become rich here, by ourselves."
Lula issued a warning in case countries in the region lack “courage” to react to the current landscape: "We have to believe in ourselves. This is the moment to show courage and decide what to do. We don't want to prioritize the interests of other nations, but rather our own. There is no other way. We must open the doors, always bearing in mind that both sides must benefit — like a two-way street."
He concluded by defending greater trade openness in Brazil, especially with a focus on South America, emphasizing the potential to expand relations with Chile in strategic sectors: "Imagine our potential in critical minerals, with AI expressed in a Latin American voice, without copying from China or the U.S. We need the courage to do this."

Lula reacts to U.S. tariffs: 'This is the moment to show courage and prioritize our own interests'

247 – The president of the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF), Justice Luís Roberto Barroso, responded this Saturday (19) to a report published by the British magazine The Economist, which criticized the Court’s actions against pro-Bolsonaro coup plotters and directly attacked Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
The Economist failed to mention that Brazilian democracy, with vital support from the STF, resisted serious threats from the far-right.
The statement emphasizes that the coup-related crimes are being tried with full respect for due process. The public's trust in the STF remains high. According to Barroso, the Court's decisions are based on criminal acts, and the actions taken against foreign digital platforms were due to their lack of legal representation in Brazil.
<blockquote>&nbsp;“The focus of the article aligns more with the narrative of those who attempted a coup than with the actual fact that Brazil is living a full democracy, with the rule of law, checks and balances, and respect for fundamental rights,” Barroso said.</blockquote>
In one of the reports published last week, Moraes is criticized for supposedly “excessively concentrating power” in his hands.
In response, the STF defended the justice, praising his “commitment and courage.”
The Economist even suggests that the Court should “moderate” its behavior and accuses Moraes of leading a “personal campaign.” At the same time, the magazine concedes: “He receives constant death threats. These threats seem to energize him and have given his rulings an absolutist tone.”
The articles come at a moment when Jair Bolsonaro is on the verge of being convicted by the STF for leading the January 8, 2023, coup attempt.

STF: The Economist fuels a coup-mongering narrative

By Leonardo Attuch, editor of Brasil 247
April 16, 2025
In a move laden with historical and political symbolism, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, invoked the masterpiece of Uruguayan journalist Eduardo Galeano — Open Veins of Latin America — to counter recent remarks by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. During a visit to Argentina, Bessent accused China of engaging in “predatory” investment practices in the Global South, especially in Latin America, alleging that Beijing was taking control of mineral resources in exchange for unsustainable debt. China’s response was forceful: “The open veins of Latin America were caused by the plunder and historical domination by the United States, which has no moral authority to criticize cooperation between China and Latin American countries.”
By referencing Galeano — even indirectly — the Chinese government not only defended its international investment strategy but also took an ideological stance at the heart of the geopolitical rivalry between the traditional Western power and the rising force of the East. Instead of delivering a purely technocratic rebuttal, Lin Jian appealed to the realm of collective historical memory, evoking centuries of colonial plunder, U.S.-backed coups, and neoliberal policies imposed by financial institutions under American control.
This Chinese gesture, made during Donald Trump’s second term, reveals far more than just a trade dispute. It is a war of narratives. On one side, the United States seeks to maintain its historical influence in Latin America through the worn rhetoric of defending “democracy” and the “free market.” On the other, China positions itself as a strategic partner to the Global South, offering investments in infrastructure, technology, and energy — wrapped in a discourse of mutual respect, non-intervention, and reciprocal benefit.
The choice of Galeano as an implicit reference is particularly powerful. His classic book, published in 1971, inspired generations of intellectuals and exposed the historical imperialism that drained the region’s wealth for the benefit of northern powers. It was banned by military dictatorships and became a symbol of the struggle for sovereignty and social justice. By bringing this work into the spotlight of today’s global dispute, Chinese diplomacy not only challenges the American narrative but also stakes a legitimate claim to Latin America’s political soul.
In these turbulent times, China appears to understand that in the global race for resources and influence, winning hearts and minds is just as important as signing trade deals. And by reminding the world that it was imperialism that opened Latin America’s veins, Beijing takes a bold step in consolidating its symbolic, ideological, and strategic leadership in the Global South.

China places Eduardo Galeano and his classic work at the center of the trade war with the United States

247 – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva congratulated, in a statement released this Monday (14), Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa for his declared victory in Sunday’s (13) election in the Andean country, affirming that Brazil will continue working to maintain a productive bilateral agenda.
Lula highlighted key areas of cooperation such as the defense of multilateralism, strengthening regional integration, and promoting sustainable development in the Amazon. "I greet the Ecuadorian people and the re-elected president, Daniel Noboa, for the elections held on Sunday, April 13. Brazil will continue working with Ecuador in defense of multilateralism, South American integration, and the sustainable development of the Amazon," reads the document signed by the president and released by the Palácio do Planalto.
Noboa and the country’s electoral authority said he secured a full four-year term on Sunday, while his leftist rival, Luisa González, described the unexpectedly wide victory of the right-wing leader as a grotesque fraud.
González told her supporters she would not accept the results — 56% for Noboa, compared to her 44% — and said she would demand a recount.

Lula acknowledges Noboa's victory, contested by the opposition

247 - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed into law, without vetoes, the Economic Reciprocity Law this Friday (11), enabling the Brazilian government to take action against tariffs imposed by other countries. The measure represents a direct response to the tariff hike announced by the United States, which will hit Brazilian exports with a base rate of 10%.
On April 2, the National Congress approved the bill, which allows the Executive Branch to adopt countermeasures against countries or economic blocs that implement restrictions on Brazilian exports — whether in the form of commercial tariffs or product-origin limitations (such as goods from deforested areas). The bill was proposed by the Senate and aims to protect the national economy from potential sanctions by the US and the European Union.
Although the legislation offers tools for a potential "tariff war", it also emphasizes the pursuit of diplomatic solutions, in line with the approach adopted by the Lula administration.
According to the law, countermeasures should, if possible, be proportional to the economic impact caused by foreign actions, with attention to minimizing the domestic effects of such measures and avoiding disproportionate burdens and administrative costs.
Lula stated that trade wars have no winners and reaffirmed that Brazil will not remain silent in the face of unilateral tariff aggression from US President Donald Trump.

Lula enacts Reciprocity Law and prepares Brazil’s response to Trump’s tariffs

247 – President Lula criticized this Wednesday (9) the unilateral tariffs imposed by the United States, under President Donald Trump. He spoke at the opening of the 9th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac), held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
"Arbitrary tariffs destabilize the economy and drive up prices. Trade wars have no winners," said Lula, after Brazil was subjected to a 10% tariff on its exports to the U.S.
In his speech, Lula also denounced the “interference of old and new powers” and warned that the region’s autonomy is under threat. “Attempts to revive old hegemonies hover over our region.”
According to Lula, regional unity is key to protecting countries in the face of the emerging global scenario. “If we remain still, we risk falling into a new sphere of influence and a new division of the world,” he stated.
“We must set aside our differences. It’s essential to recover the plural and democratic spirit that created Unasur and Celac,” he added. “It is imperative that Latin America and the Caribbean redefine their place in the new global order under discussion.”
Lula also criticized the deportation of migrants from the United States under inhumane conditions. “Migrants are criminalized and deported in degrading conditions,” he said.
Finally, Lula advocated for a woman to be elected as the next secretary-general of the United Nations.

09.04.2025 - Sessão de abertura da IX Cúpula da Comunidade de Estados Latino-Americanos e Caribenhos (Celac) - Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Lula reacts to Trump's tariffs and calls on Celac to resist external interference: “Trade wars have no winners”

247 – President Lula stated this Monday (7) that Brazil’s international reserves will ensure stability, even in the face of the trade tariffs announced last week by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Even if Trump says whatever he wants, Brazil is safe because there’s a $350 billion cushion that gives peace of mind to Brazil and to Fernando Haddad [Minister of Finance],” Lula said during a visit to Mercado Livre’s logistics center in Cajamar, in the São Paulo metropolitan area.
U.S. customs officials began charging Trump’s unilateral 10% tariff on imports from many countries on Saturday. Brazil was subject to the base 10% tariff.
Investments – Mercado Livre plans to invest R$34 billion this year in Brazil, its main market, announced Fernando Yunes, the company’s Senior Vice President and head of marketplace operations in Brazil, during the event.