"Brazil and United States Seek Trade Agreement as World Turns Toward Protectionism"

On Monday, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva voiced optimism that a trade agreement with the United States is close at hand, referencing reassurances from President Donald Trump during their discussion at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur. Lula characterized the conversation as "very positive" and stated that Trump had "promised" a solution, though the U.S. president did not specify any concrete terms, according to a

. While traveling to Japan, Trump also conveyed hopefulness, saying, "Let's see what unfolds. They are interested in reaching an agreement," as reported by .

Back in July, the Trump administration introduced a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, citing an economic crisis tied to Brazil's legal actions against Jair Bolsonaro, a known Trump supporter. Lula insisted the tariffs were based on "incorrect data" and handed Trump a written explanation of Brazil's stance during their meeting, according to

. Although Trump did not outline what would be required to remove the tariffs, Lula pointed out that the U.S. has enjoyed a $410 billion trade surplus with Brazil over the last 15 years, emphasizing Brazil's importance as the largest economy in South America, as reported by the .

This meeting signaled an improvement after months of diplomatic tension. Lula also encouraged Trump to utilize Brazil's diplomatic weight in the region, including possible assistance regarding Venezuela. "Brazil can play a role in relations with Venezuela," he remarked, highlighting the country's strategic importance, according to

. Trump, for his part, welcomed the prospect of "very favorable agreements for both nations" and suggested that talks could progress quickly, as reported by the .

In addition to the bilateral discussions, Lula's trip to Malaysia saw the resumption of chicken exports, which had been halted since May due to concerns over avian flu—a development hailed as a win for Brazil's agricultural sector, according to the

website. The ASEAN summit also featured broader talks on regional trade, with leaders aiming to counteract the effects of U.S. tariffs through expanded multilateral cooperation, as noted by .

As both presidents await the conclusion of negotiations, the results could significantly alter global trade relations amid a climate of increasing protectionism. For now, Lula remains optimistic: "I firmly believe we will find a solution within days," he told US News.