Trump, Lula Agree to Meet Next Week

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opened the U.N. General Assembly, using his address to defend Brazil’s judicial autonomy, stress multilateralism and call for U.N. Security Council reform while criticizing U.S. measures. On the sidelines, Lula and U.S. President Donald Trump briefly embraced and agreed to meet next week as both leaders seek to mend sharply strained ties. The thaw follows months of escalation — including U.S. measures such as 50% tariffs on thousands of Brazilian goods, sanctions and visa restrictions tied to prosecutions and the conviction of former president Jair Bolsonaro — which Brasília has denounced as unilateral interference. Trump's conciliatory remarks and the encounter helped lift Brazilian markets, with the real strengthening and the Bovespa rising. Analysts say deep economic and political divides mean a quick fix is unlikely, and upcoming talks are expected to focus on trade, security and sovereignty.