Brazilian President Lula, Chinese President Xi Strengthen BRICS, Bilateral Relations Amid US Tariff Pressures

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has engaged in strategic discussions with key BRICS leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on strengthening multilateralism and enhancing bilateral trade and cooperation. Lula and Xi emphasized the importance of BRICS and the G20 in defending multilateralism and discussed expanding economic ties, particularly in agriculture, while addressing challenges such as U.S. tariffs and global issues like the Ukraine crisis. China expressed support for Brazil against what it described as unfair tariff impositions and highlighted the historically strong China-Brazil relationship. Meanwhile, Lula's conversation with Modi reinforced commitments to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, technology, energy, defense, and health, aiming to elevate the India-Brazil strategic partnership. Lula also indicated plans to coordinate a collective BRICS response to tariffs imposed by the U.S., underscoring the need for multilateral negotiation power among smaller nations. These diplomatic engagements signal a concerted effort by BRICS members to foster unity and self-reliance among Global South nations amid ongoing global economic and political challenges.