São Paulo, Brazil — Brazil’s president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke over the phone with China’s head of state, Xi Jinping, on Friday, according to the Chinese minister of Foreign Affairs.
In a post on X, Mao Ning said the two leaders agreed to advance mutually through “beneficial cooperation across the board”, strengthening the already intimate relations between both countries.
“Facing the turbulent international landscape, China and Brazil, as important members of the Global South, should firmly stand on the right side of history, better champion the common interests of both the two countries and the Global South, and jointly uphold the central position of the United Nations and international fairness and justice,” wrote the minister.
“China will always be a good friend and good partner of Latin American and Caribbean countries, and continue promoting a China-LAC community with a shared future,” she added.
The “turbulent international landscape” comment comes at a time of geopolitical uncertainty, with the United States threatening to annex Greenland as well as capturing Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The latter move was heavily criticized by the Brazilian government and Lula itself, saying the U.S. intervention in Venezuela “crossed an unacceptable line”.
Brazil has also been directly affected by Washington’s disruptive foreign polcy, with the White House last week suspending the issuance of all visas to applicants from 75 countries, including Brazil.
For years, China has been Brazil’s biggest commercial partner, followed by the United States. According to the Brazilian central bank, the U.S. and China together account for nearly 40% of the country’s trade.
China and Brazil further strengthened ties in 2025 after the Trump administration announced in July a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods like coffee, meat and steel. After months of ongoing negotiations and the increase of , the tariff was reduced to 10%.
But Brasília and Washington continue to exhibit signs of strained relations. This week, Lula publicly criticized Donald Trump taking aim at the Republican leader’s social media use.
“In my office, cell phones are prohibited. Have you noticed that President Trump wants to govern the world through Twitter? It’s fantastic. Every day he says something, and the world says something too. Is it possible for me to treat people with respect if I don’t look you in the face?” said Lula, addressing the audience.
Earlier that day, Trump published screenshots of his private messages with world leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Featured image credit: President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, during the signing ceremony of the Acts, at the Great Hall of the People. Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR
