China's Xi Holds Hourlong Talks with Brazil's Lula on Trade, BRICS

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Chinese President Xi Jinping held an hour-long phone call to strengthen bilateral ties amid rising tensions with the United States. They discussed the role of BRICS and the G20 in defending multilateralism and emphasized exploring new business opportunities between Brazil and China. Lula aims to address the impact of U.S. tariffs, imposed by President Trump, on BRICS nations, following Trump's labeling of the group as 'anti-American' and threats of additional tariffs. The call likely included discussions on soybean trade, as China remains Brazil's largest soybean buyer despite U.S. efforts to increase its exports to China. Recent data shows China imported a record 9.73 million tons of soybeans from Brazil in June 2025, while U.S. imports remain significantly lower amid uncertainties in trade negotiations. Overall, the Lula-Xi dialogue reflects Brazil's commitment to maintaining strong economic and diplomatic relations with China while countering U.S. trade pressures.