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Brazil President Lula to discuss economy and security with Trump at White House

Daniel BushWashington correspondent
REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is at a mic, seen from the elbows pointing with his left hand and he appears to be talking. He has white hair and a short white beard. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

US President Donald Trump will host Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the White House on Thursday for talks on tariffs, other economic issues, and combatting organized crime.

The two leaders have had a strained relationship since Trump returned to office, and the visit will be closely watched for signs of a breakthrough in disputes over tariffs and other issues.

Last year, the US imposed a 40 percent tariff on Brazilian goods, in addition to a separate 10 percent tariff. Trump later lowered the rate, but the trade dispute had damaged relations between the US and South America's largest economy.

Trump also intervened in Brazilian politics last July when he wrote a letter to Lula asking that criminal charges be dropped against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

A close Trump ally, the far-right Bolsonaro was convicted last November of leading an attempted coup and sentenced to 27 years in prison. Lawyers for Bolsonaro appealed the conviction.

Trump cited the Bolsonaro case as one factor in his decision to increase tariffs on Brazil.

The leaders held their first meeting of Trump's second term in Malaysia last year.

They also met briefly on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. Trump praised Lula in his UN speech, a sign the leaders were seeking to iron out their differences.

"He seemed like a very nice man," Trump said. "We had excellent chemistry."

Lula established himself as a popular left-wing figure while presiding over a period of economic growth in Brazil during his first two terms as president from 2003 to 2011. He returned to office after defeating Bolsonaro in the 2022 presidential election, and is running for another term this fall.

Trump and Lula are scheduled to hold a working meeting late Thursday morning at the White House.

Ahead of the visit, Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said Lula would discuss a pact to combat organized crime, among other issues.

A White House official told BBC the leaders would discuss "economic and security matters of shared importance."