Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has arrived in China to strengthen ties with his nation's biggest trade partner and win support for his long-shot push for peace in Ukraine. During Lula's two-day visit, China and Brazil are expected to sign at least 20 bilateral agreements, covering areas such as trade, investment, reindustrialization, energy transition, climate change, and peace agreements.
President Lula will also visit Shanghai and Beijing during his stay before meeting Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on April 14th. The two leaders are expected to discuss various topics that could further enhance their nations' partnership.
China is currently the largest export market for Brazil, purchasing tens of billions of dollars worth of products like soybeans, beef, iron ore, poultry, pulp sugar cane cotton and crude oil each year. Additionally, Brazil is the most significant recipient of Chinese investment in Latin America according to Chinese state media.
The trip marks a shift from former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's tenure (2019-2022), which saw occasional friction between Brazil and China due to controversial statements from Bolsonaro or members of his family.
Lula da Silva’s visit comes amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts by several countries trying to halt fighting in Ukraine. This includes recent discussions about the conflict held last week between French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has been working towards building momentum for talks aimed at stopping the war in Ukraine while simultaneously solidifying political ties with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Jinping recently presented a vague blueprint advocating peace that included calls for a cease-fire agreement—an idea supported by Lula but viewed cautiously by U.S allies who worry it would enable Russia to maintain its battlefield gains so far.
This trip represents one more crucial step in Lula's diplomatic efforts since taking office earlier this year. As the third major international visit, it demonstrates the Brazilian President's eagerness to engage and collaborate with global partners on pressing issues such as Ukraine conflict resolution.