In a week marked by unexpected diplomatic overtures, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Donald Trump found themselves at the center of renewed hopes—and lingering tensions—between the two largest economies in the Americas. Their impromptu encounter at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, followed by candid remarks from both leaders and their deputies, has set the stage for potential breakthroughs on trade, diplomacy, and the restoration of trust after years of friction.
The chance meeting occurred on September 23, 2025, as Lula was leaving the UN podium and Trump was preparing to address the assembly. According to both leaders, what began as a brief, 20-second exchange quickly revealed an unexpected warmth. "I saw him, he saw me, and we embraced," Trump recounted in his speech to world leaders. "We didn’t have much time to talk, like about 20 seconds. … We had a good talk, and we agreed to meet next week." Lula, for his part, described the encounter as "very friendly, very pleasant," adding, "I think that indeed there was some chemistry there."
That chemistry, as it turns out, has become the talk of diplomatic circles in both Washington and Brasília. Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin echoed the optimism, telling reporters that the rapport between Lula and Trump could serve as a springboard for tackling the thorny issue of U.S.-imposed tariffs on Brazilian exports. "This positive interaction could open the way for discussions about the 50% tariffs the U.S. has imposed on Brazilian exports," Alckmin said, according to agency reports. While no date has yet been set for a follow-up meeting, both sides appear eager to capitalize on the goodwill generated by their UN encounter.
Yet, beneath the surface, significant challenges remain. The Trump administration’s decision to slap 50% tariffs on a range of Brazilian goods, alongside sanctions on judges and officials linked to the prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has soured relations in recent years. Bolsonaro, once a close ally of Trump, was sentenced this month to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup after losing Brazil’s 2022 election—a development that further complicated U.S.-Brazil ties.
In a press conference the day after the UN meeting, Lula struck a careful balance between hope and caution. He told the assembled media that while he was "very happy" and "optimistic" about the prospects for improved relations, there were clear red lines that could not be crossed. "What is not debatable is Brazilian sovereignty and our democracy, this is not debatable, nor with Trump, nor with any president of the world," Lula declared, as reported by multiple outlets. He emphasized that Brazil’s judicial system and democratic institutions were not up for negotiation, regardless of outside pressure.
Lula also took the opportunity to address what he called misinformation about Brazil’s trade relationship with the United States. Trump, in his speech to the UN, had asserted that Brazil was subject to tariffs for "censorship, repression, weaponization, judicial corruption, and targeting of political critics in the United States"—and for imposing unfair tariffs on American goods. Lula, however, pushed back forcefully on the economic front. "He had a surplus in 15 years of $410 billion," Lula said, referring to the U.S. trade balance with Brazil. "I am not sure who told [Trump] that US has trade deficit with Brazil. It's not correct. I don't know who gave him this information. US has a surplus of $410 billion in the trade with Brazil for over the past 15 years. So, we need to talk about everything."
This theme of dialogue—tempered by principle—ran through all of Lula’s public statements. He underscored the importance of bilateral negotiations, noting that "there is a broad desire for the business community and the Brazilian political class for this dialogue to occur." Investments and trade flow between the two countries, he said, were simply too significant to be left hostage to misunderstandings or political disputes. "Given that we are the two largest economies in the region, there is no reason why Brazil and the US should face conflict. I told Trump that we have a lot to discuss, and many common interests are at stake," Lula explained to the press.
Still, Lula made it clear that certain boundaries were non-negotiable. When asked about possible interference in each other’s domestic affairs—a sensitive topic given recent history—he was unequivocal. "When I have an election in the United States I do not get myself and when I have an election in Brazil it does not get into, that’s how we do it," he said. This principle of non-interference, he argued, was essential for mutual respect and the health of both democracies.
The personal dynamic between the two leaders has also drawn attention. Both men are approaching milestone birthdays—Lula turns 80 in October 2025, while Trump will reach the same age in June 2026. Lula joked about their shared experience, telling reporters, "Between two 80-year-olds, there is no reason to disrespect each other. We may be of a similar age, but we feel young. I physically feel 30. We are going to talk like two civilised human beings. There is no room for joking around." The light-hearted banter, however, was accompanied by a serious commitment to "civilized" negotiations and mutual respect.
For all the talk of chemistry and optimism, the road ahead is anything but straightforward. The legacy of the Trump administration’s tariffs, the fallout from Bolsonaro’s conviction, and the specter of misinformation all loom large over the next phase of U.S.-Brazil relations. Trump, in his UN speech, did not shy away from tough rhetoric, declaring, "Brazil is doing poorly and they can only do well when they're working with us. Without us, they will fail just as others have failed." Lula, for his part, stressed that any agreement must be "a win-win agreement" and that "everything can be sorted out when two people talk."
As both countries look to the future, the stakes are high—not just for trade and investment, but for the broader question of how two of the world’s largest democracies can navigate their differences without sacrificing their core values. The coming weeks will reveal whether the "excellent chemistry" between Lula and Trump can translate into real progress on the issues that matter most to their citizens.
For now, at least, the world is watching as two seasoned leaders—each with decades of experience and no shortage of strong opinions—prepare to test whether personal rapport can overcome years of mistrust and misunderstanding. Their next meeting may well determine whether optimism is enough to reset the course of U.S.-Brazil relations or whether old grievances will prove too entrenched to resolve with a handshake and a smile.