Brazil’s new president is visiting Joe Biden to boost relations
But Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will probably want to keep China happy, too
In the early 20th century the Baron of Rio Branco, Brazil’s foreign minister, vowed to make the United States the country’s main ally and trading partner. Today that second role is occupied by China, which buys more than a quarter of Brazilian products. Last year Brazil’s goods exports to China were worth a whopping $89bn. But Brazil’s northern neighbour remains deeply important. On February 10th, after we went to press, Brazil’s new leftist president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was due to visit President Joe Biden in Washington. It will be the first international trip of this term outside Latin America.
Explore more
This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline “Friends with benefits”
From the February 11th 2023 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from The Americas
Can Brazil’s left survive without Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva?
Brazil’s current president, a titan of the Latin American left, has no apparent heirs
Donald Trump shows that he is determined to pummel Mexico
The United States’ southern neighbour is bracing for a wave of deportees and trapped migrants
The race to lead Canada’s Liberal Party hinges on handling Trump
Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland are the front-runners
Canada has adopted assisted dying faster than anywhere on Earth
The province of Quebec now allows those with deteriorating illnesses to request an assisted death in advance
Tether’s move to El Salvador is a win for President Nayib Bukele
Why the stablecoin firm has picked the Central American country for its headquarters
From Greenland to Panama and Mexico, leaders are in shock
As Donald Trump eyes fine new pieces of real estate in the Americas and beyond