Lula da Silva said Trump guaranteed a future trade agreement between the United States and Brazil after their meeting at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva voiced optimism about reaching a new trade deal with the United States after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.
In a press conference following the meeting, Lula said Trump had assured him of his intent to move forward with a bilateral understanding and that negotiations could progress “faster than many expect.”
The Brazilian leader described the conversation as “frank and positive,” leaving the door open to strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
“I had an excellent meeting with President Trump this Sunday afternoon in Malaysia. We discussed our bilateral trade and economic agenda in a constructive and open manner. We agreed that our teams will meet immediately to seek solutions to tariffs and sanctions imposed on Brazilian authorities,” Lula wrote on social media.
Donald Trump, however, struck a more cautious tone. Before leaving Malaysia, he described the talk as “a good meeting” and called Lula “a very energetic guy.” Yet he avoided making firm commitments: “I don’t know if anything will happen, but we’ll see,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Relations between the United States and Brazil have recently been strained after Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods in response to the conviction of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
Tive uma ótima reunião com o presidente Trump na tarde deste domingo, na Malásia. Discutimos de forma franca e construtiva a agenda comercial e econômica bilateral. Acertamos que nossas equipes vão se reunir imediatamente para avançar na busca de soluções para as tarifas e as… pic.twitter.com/aTXZthrb9Z
— Lula (@LulaOficial) October 26, 2025
Lula called the measure “unfair” but emphasized his readiness to engage in dialogue: “I’m willing to discuss any issue with President Trump, including regional matters such as the situation in Venezuela.”
The Brazilian leader also highlighted his country’s strategic role in South America: “I reminded him that we are the largest and most economically significant nation in the region, with direct ties to nearly all our neighbors. Our voice must be heard in any decision that affects the continent,” he said.
Before the meeting, Trump had expressed optimism about the partnership: “It’s an honor to meet with the president of Brazil. I’m confident we can reach agreements that benefit both countries,” the U.S. president stated.
