President Lula at the ceremony to relaunch the Food Acquisition Program (PAA)
Despite being postponed due to pneumonia, the idea is to reschedule as soon as the health framework allows. That’s because Lula’s trip to China will be much more than a commercial activity. After disastrous statements and gratuitous provocations in the past administration, the current president intends to cross the Greenwich Meridian with the mission of resuming the strained relationship and regaining the trust of the main trading partner that surpassed the United States since 2009.
This rapprochement lights a red light for Joe Biden’s government. Americans had nothing to worry about in the face of the anti-China rhetoric adopted by Bolsonarismo with constant criticism, provocations and Fake News. One of the former president’s sons even blamed the partner country for the Covid 19 epidemic, which irritated the Chinese. The diplomatic storm along with the pandemic caused that country’s investments to stagnate in Brazil.
disembargo on meat
Now the panorama is quite different. Beijing has just petted the Brazilians. As a welcome gift, it lifted the embargo on beef produced in Brazil. To prepare the ground and seal the peace, the agricultural technicians left in the middle of the previous week for the eastern country.
The format of the delegation that would accompany the Brazilian head of state will be maintained: 240 businessmen, 90 of them from the agricultural sector. Already fearing criticism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a point of stressing that the business community will bear its expenses. The expectation is that at least ten memorandums of understanding will be maintained between Brazil and China in the segments: tourism, science, technology, mining, energy transition and environment.
Maintained Sustainable Agreements
Precisely the environmental issue becomes strategic not only for the quality of life it provides but also for the corroded images of both countries in this segment. China needs to break its association as a sustainability villain. And Brazil, showing that it no longer lives the reality of the “open gate” for the ox of irregularity to pass through. Not to mention the interest of the Chinese in green hydrogen and us, in selling our potential for the production of this fuel of the future.
Not taking sides in the dispute with the USA
In a pragmatic way, Lula’s challenge is to strengthen ties around the most advantageous commercial partnerships, but without entering into the political and economic dispute between the two powerful partner nations. So much so that, strategically, the visit to Xi Jinping was scheduled for less than two months after meeting Joe Biden at the White House. The intention is that it be rescheduled as soon as the doctors allow it.
In this sense, the Itamaraty Palace had already incisively advised President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva not to comment on the controversy in which the United States is trying to restrict or force the sale of the giant Chinese app Tik Tok, the darling of kids. With the trip taking place on another date, the diplomatic advice is also valid so that it does not pronounce on the War between Russia and Ukraine due to the approximation of President Putin with the Chinese government. However, due to his old verbosity, there is no certainty that Lula will follow this and other recommendations in the new trip schedule or even that he will comment on these cases right here in Brazilian territory.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not comment on whether the trip to the United Arab Emirates will be rescheduled, which is also considered strategic since there was a strong flirtation with Bolsonarismo. Lula da Silva wants to win the sympathy of the UAE in order to grab part of the US$800 billion that Arab millionaires are waving in international investment for Brazil.