Trump says 'trade and tariffs' took center stage in meeting with Brazil's President Lula

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Thursday, May 7, that trade and tariffs were among the main topics discussed during his White House meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, offering the first official account of talks between the two leaders.

In a post on Truth Social following the meeting, Trump described Lula as “very dynamic” and said the discussions had gone well.

He also said representatives from both countries would continue negotiations in the coming weeks, with additional meetings planned in the months ahead.

It also comes after months of uncertainty over US tariff policy toward Brazilian imports and concerns in Brasília over the possibility of fresh trade measures.

Trump signals further trade negotiations after Lula meeting

In his post, Trump said the meeting covered “many topics, including Trade and, specifically, Tariffs,” signaling that economic issues remain central to the bilateral relationship.

“Just concluded my meeting with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the very dynamic President of Brazil. We discussed many topics, including Trade and, specifically, Tariffs. The meeting went very well,” the president wrote.

He added that “Our Representatives are scheduled to get together to discuss certain key elements,” indicating that follow-up negotiations will focus on unresolved trade matters.

Trump also said, “Additional meetings will be scheduled over the coming months, as necessary.”

The White House has not released further details on the substance of the talks, leaving Trump’s statement as the only official public summary of the meeting.

The bilateral discussion comes as both governments navigate a complex trade relationship shaped by tariffs, market access disputes, and negotiations over key commodities.

Trade between the United States and Brazil remains one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere, with agriculture, energy, and manufactured goods forming major parts of the economic exchange. 

Trade tensions linger as Brazil seeks reset with Washington

Lula arrived in Washington earlier on Thursday for talks expected to focus on trade, security cooperation, and critical minerals, as Brazil seeks to stabilize ties with the Trump administration after a period of strained relations.

Relations between the two countries faced turbulence last year when Trump imposed tariffs of up to 50% on certain Brazilian imports, citing political concerns surrounding the prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. 

While many of those tariffs were later rolled back, some duties remain in place.

Brazilian exports are still subject to an additional 10% tariff that is set to expire in July, though officials in Brasília have expressed concern that new trade actions could follow under ongoing US investigations into trade practices.

Other issues complicating the relationship include disputes over digital trade policies, ethanol tariffs, and US allegations regarding Brazilian timber exports. Brazilian officials have denied those allegations and have maintained that environmental enforcement has improved.