President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Brazil sought new trading partners rather than appeal to the United States after Washington raised tariffs, speaking to reporters in Manila at the close of his participation in the 49th ASEAN summit.
“Instead of us crying or begging the American government to invest in Brazil, we decided to look for other partners to sell to and buy from,” Lula said. He said Brazilian trade had grown in 50 countries, by an average of 10.5 percent. Brazil’s trade surplus rose from 50 billion reais to 80 billion reais over the period he cited.
Trade shifts beyond Washington
Lula said trade with China grew by close to 20 percent. Trade with Germany rose 15.8 percent, he said, while trade with Vietnam grew 13 percent and trade with Indonesia grew by about 15 percent. The United States now accounts for 9.2 percent of Brazil’s foreign trade, he said.
Brazil’s trade with ASEAN members reached $38.4 billion in 2025. “Brazil needs to leave the list of countries perpetually on the way to development and become a developed country,” he said.
Talks with Canada and beyond
Lula met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Philippines to discuss concluding a trade agreement between Mercosur and Canada. He also reviewed the outcome of the Brazilian presidential election during his remarks.
“Nobody is asking for alms; we are asking for investment so that we can fulfil our task,” Lula said, summing up his pitch to trading partners during the Asia trip.
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