After months of tension, both nations are reopening talks to restore trade and energy cooperation. Washington and Brasília seek a pragmatic reset.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed that his government and the United States will resume bilateral talks this Thursday, following months of political and trade friction.
Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira traveled to Washington to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump’s envoy for the negotiations. According to official sources, the meeting was arranged by phone and will focus on the 50% tariffs the U.S. imposed on Brazilian goods.
Trump justified the move by citing the court case against former President Jair Bolsonaro—sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup—calling the trial a “witch hunt.”
In addition to tariffs, the United States imposed financial sanctions on Supreme Court judges and revoked visas for several Brazilian officials, deepening the diplomatic rift.
A brief exchange between Lula and Trump during the UN General Assembly paved the way for renewed communication, with both leaders agreeing to reopen dialogue and cooperate on strategic matters.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, announced plans to meet with U.S. officials later this month during the G7 Energy Ministers’ meeting in Canada. Discussions will center on energy cooperation, critical minerals, and rare earths—resources Brazil has in abundance but has yet to fully develop.
Silveira emphasized that “Brazil is ready to work with the United States on the responsible exploration of strategic minerals,” adding that foreign investments will be “welcome” if they align with Brazil’s environmental and social standards.
The Trump administration, meanwhile, has shown growing interest in securing critical minerals amid its escalating trade dispute with China. Washington has threatened to double tariffs on Chinese imports in response to Beijing’s export restrictions.
This week’s meetings between Vieira and Rubio, together with Silveira’s agenda at the G7, mark an effort by both governments to reset a strained bilateral relationship shaped by political discord, sanctions, and the global race for energy and technological dominance.
