Trump treats Latinos as enemies, Lula says | Politics

“It is important for us to seriously discuss this issue of democracy and integration [in Latin America]. We need to leverage this [integration] to grow our countries. Why don’t we have any place like the Netherlands in South America?” Mr. Lula questioned. “We all remain poor, wanting to go to the U.S. for a better life. After helping build American wealth, a U.S. president comes along and treats Latin Americans as enemies,” he added.

Similarly, the Brazilian president argued that it is not in South America’s interest to enter a “Cold War” between Americans and Chinese.

“The United States has decided to establish a discussion favorable to a protectionist policy, contrary to everything that was told to us since the 1980s, [contrary] to globalization, [contrary] to free trade. In other words, everyone was talking about free trade and globalization, and suddenly, none of that is worthwhile, and what counts is protectionism,” Mr. Lula stated.

On this matter, the president added that taking a “side” in this dispute is not in the region’s interest. “I don’t want a Cold War. I don’t want to choose between the United States or China. I want relations with the United States; I want relations with China. I don’t want to have a preference for one over the other. It’s my businesspeople who should have preferences, as they want to negotiate, but not me. I want to sell [Brazilian products], buy, and form partnerships,” he remarked.

Mr. Boric is in Brazil this week for a series of bilateral meetings in the country. He and Lula took advantage of their meeting at the Planalto Palace to sign treaties and cooperation agreements in various public and private sector areas.

During the meeting, Mr. Lula also extended an invitation for Chile to participate in the BRICS summit, which will be held in July in Brazil. The invitation comes as the Brazilian government is presiding over the BRICS group this year and wants to use the opportunity to persuade participating nations to update their climate goals by November. Brazil is especially keen on achieving positive outcomes at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference, COP30, another event to be held on Brazilian soil in 2025, this time in the Amazonian capital of Belém.

In the same speech, Mr. Lula asked Mr. Boric to help convince other South American countries of the importance of greater integration in the region. In an evening event with business leaders, Mr. Lula advocated for a regional bloc similar to the European Union. “We cannot be caught by surprise in South America,” the Brazilian leader stated.

As an example of South American integration, Mr. Lula reiterated the importance of the so-called “bioceanic corridor” or “Bioceanic Route,” which would connect the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul to the Pacific Ocean, potentially reducing the shipping time of goods from Brazil to China by up to 14 days. The Chilean president agreed with Mr. Lula on this topic.

Congress is also keeping close watch of the Bioceanic Route project. Senator Nelsinho Trad (Social Democratic Party, PSD, of Mato Grosso do Sul), president of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, met on Tuesday (22) with a delegation of Chilean parliamentarians to discuss the infrastructure project on Tuesday. “In times of crisis and tariffs, we need to consolidate logistical alternatives that provide more competitiveness to exports,” Mr. Trad stated.