Mon Mar 31 22:40:41 UTC 2025: ## Lula’s May Trip Signals Brazil’s Strengthening Ties with Russia and China Amidst US Trade War Fears

**Sao Paulo, Brazil –** Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will embark on a significant diplomatic mission in May, visiting both Russia and China amid rising global trade tensions sparked by US President Donald Trump’s impending tariffs. The announcement, made Monday, confirms meetings with Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Xi Jinping in Beijing. Lula’s trip will include attending Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9th and the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum on May 12th.

This visit underscores the strengthening economic relationship between Brazil, Russia, and China, all founding members of the BRICS bloc. The trip also reflects Brazil’s position as the current BRICS president, hosting the next summit in July. China is Brazil’s largest trading partner, accounting for a significant portion of its exports and imports in 2024, dwarfing the US’s trade relationship with Brazil.

President Lula has expressed deep concern over President Trump’s impending tariffs, stating he foresees no positive outcomes from this protectionist move. He voiced anxieties about the damage to free trade and multilateralism during a recent visit to Japan. Lula’s upcoming itinerary also includes a visit to Honduras for a CELAC summit in April and an official visit to France in June. The planned visits to Russia and China highlight Brazil’s strategic pivot towards these key global players during a period of significant geopolitical uncertainty.

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