RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — In a significant display of diplomatic camaraderie, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva formally welcomed China’s President Xi Jinping for a highly anticipated state visit at the opulent Alvorada Palace in Brasilia on Wednesday. This meeting underscores the burgeoning economic and political ties between Brazil and China, especially in light of the expected return of Donald Trump to the White House in 2025, which analysts believe could further intensify this partnership.
China has held the coveted position as Brazil’s primary export market since it surpassed the U.S. in 2009. Over the years, the bilateral connections have deepened remarkably in various sectors, particularly in trade and investment. On this day alone, Lula and Xi signed an impressive 37 agreements spanning diverse fields including trade, tourism, agriculture, industry, science and technology, health, energy, culture, and education, highlighting a mutual commitment to economic collaboration.
Recent developments indicate a broader regional trend, as exemplified last week when Xi inaugurated a monumental $1.3 billion megaport in Peru, signaling a strategic shift in Latin America’s economic alliances.
“Latin America has always been forgotten by the United States and the European Union. Who fills that void? China,” stated Flavia Loss, an esteemed international relations professor at the Foundation School of Sociology and Politics in Sao Paulo. “Donald Trump’s election is already accelerating this proximity. We’re clearly seeing it happening now, live,” she added, emphasizing the shifting geopolitical landscape.
The state visit by the Chinese leader comes more than a year after Lula embarked on a trip to China, aiming to bolster ties and mend relations with what has become Brazil’s biggest trade partner, following an estranged period marked by the prior administration of Jair Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro’s lawmaker son, Eduardo, leveled serious accusations against the Chinese Communist Party, blaming it for the COVID-19 pandemic, and labeled the technology titan Huawei as “Chinese espionage.” These allegations led to significant diplomatic tensions, evidenced by the absence of a Chinese ambassador in Brazil during eight months of 2022.
Lula has adopted a markedly different approach. His administration is actively pursuing the repair of relations with China as a cornerstone of a broader strategy to re-establish Brazil’s presence on the global stage after a period of isolation characterized by Bolsonaro’s lack of engagement in international affairs.
In remarks to journalists on Wednesday, Lula asserted that the cooperative initiatives between China and Brazil “reverberate around the world,” emphasizing their collaborative contributions within the frameworks of the United Nations and BRICS, the coalition of developing nations.
In a show of solidarity, Xi characterized China and Brazil as “reliable friends with a shared destiny and positive forces to promote peace,” further solidifying the partnership between these two significant countries.
China’s President Xi Jinping, left, and Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pose for photos with their bi-lateral agreements at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
As of early November 2024, trade figures between the two nations reached a remarkable $136.3 billion, according to a statement released by Brazil’s presidential palace on Nov. 13. “Since 2004, when President Lula visited China for the first time, bilateral trade has grown more than 17 times. Exports to China were greater than the sum of our sales to the United States and the European Union,” said Eduardo Saboia, Brazil’s secretary for Asia and the Pacific.
China has actively encouraged Brazil to join its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), designed to expand infrastructure development globally via Chinese investment in transportation, energy, and beyond. While Brazil initially approached this initiative with caution, discussions are now underway to explore potential collaborations, particularly in addressing climate change challenges through financial partnerships, according to Pedro Brites, an expert on China at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo.
“But Brazil, as this state visit shows, has managed to seal good agreements with China without having joined, so I don’t know if the gain is still worth it in Brazil’s calculation,” Brites remarked, highlighting Brazil’s strategic maneuvering.
While Trump’s anticipated ascension to the White House may further draw Brazil closer to China, Brites cautions that excessive alignment with Chinese leadership could jeopardize relations with Washington and European nations. “Brazil will maintain its rapprochement and bargain to a certain extent, but I think there will be a limit,” he concluded.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, right, and China’s President Xi Jinping attend a news conference at Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
How will the recent agreements between Brazil and China impact the global economic landscape in the coming years?
**Interview with Flavia Loss, International Relations Professor**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Flavia, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent state visit of President Xi Jinping to Brazil. The meeting with President Lula at the Alvorada Palace seems to signify a strengthening of ties between the two nations. What are your thoughts on the importance of this visit?
**Flavia Loss:** Thank you for having me. This visit is indeed significant, not just symbolically but also in practical terms. President Lula and President Xi signed 37 agreements covering a wide range of sectors. This reflects Brazil’s strategic shift towards embracing a partnership with China, especially as economic and political dynamics change on a global scale.
**Interviewer:** Brazil has seen China become its largest export market since 2009. With the upcoming 2025 presidential elections in the U.S. and the expected return of Donald Trump, how might this influence Brazil-China relations?
**Flavia Loss:** The potential return of Trump is crucial because it signals a possibility of renewed tensions between the United States and China. In this scenario, Brazil may find itself balancing its relationships and could rely more on its ties with China for economic stability and opportunities. As I mentioned, Latin America has often been overlooked by the U.S. and Europe, and China is stepping in to fill that gap. This visit bolsters Brazil’s position in the global arena as it seeks to maximize benefits from its partnership with China.
**Interviewer:** You referenced a period of tension under the previous Brazilian administration. How does President Lula’s foreign policy differ from that of Jair Bolsonaro?
**Flavia Loss:** Lula’s approach marks a significant departure from Bolsonaro’s. Lula is focused on repairing relationships and fostering international cooperation. Under Bolsonaro, diplomatic relations were strained due to accusations against China and hesitance to engage with global partners. Lula recognizes the importance of China not only as an economic partner but also as a key player in multilateral forums like the United Nations and BRICS. This pivot is crucial for re-establishing Brazil’s standing after the isolationist strategies of the past.
**Interviewer:** The agreements signed during this meeting encompass various fields—from trade to culture. How critical is this multifaceted approach for the bilateral relationship?
**Flavia Loss:** A multifaceted approach is vital for a sustainable partnership. By collaborating on trade, science, technology, and cultural exchanges, both nations can create a more comprehensive relationship that goes beyond mere economic transactions. This kind of collaboration can enhance mutual understanding and foster long-lasting ties that can withstand geopolitical fluctuations.
**Interviewer:** President Xi described China and Brazil as “reliable friends with a shared destiny.” What does this sentiment reflect about the future of their relationship?
**Flavia Loss:** That statement encapsulates a vision for a cooperative future. It indicates a commitment to work together on global challenges and economic opportunities. As both countries navigate an increasingly complex international landscape, such rhetoric is essential for cultivating trust and fostering collaborations that can benefit both sides. If they continue on this path, we can expect deeper ties and more significant impacts on global matters.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Flavia, for your insights on this pivotal moment in Brazil-China relations.
**Flavia Loss:** Thank you! It’s a pleasure to discuss these important developments.
