Trump, Brazil's Lula move to mend fences after trade clash, judicial firestorm with 'friendly' call

"We will be having further discussions, and will get together in the not too distant future, both in Brazil and the United States," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I enjoyed the call - our countries will do very well together!"

The exchange marked a thaw in what had become one of the more contentious diplomatic relationships in the Western Hemisphere. Since returning to office, Trump has frequently clashed with Lula's leftist government over trade, energy policy, and the treatment of Bolsonaro - a close Trump ally who modeled much of his political brand on the former U.S. president.

Earlier this year, Trump imposed a 40% tariff on Brazilian exports to the United States, hitting key sectors of the South American nation's economy, including petroleum, soybeans, sugar, coffee, and iron and steel products. Brazil is also the United States' third-largest foreign supplier of meat, behind Australia and Canada - a trade flow that could be sharply curtailed if the tariffs remain in place.

Trump and his advisers have openly compared Bolsonaro's prosecution to what they describe as politically motivated charges Trump faced in the United States after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. In a June letter to Brazil's government announcing the new tariffs, Trump wrote that "the way that Brazil has treated… Bolsonaro, a highly respected leader throughout the world during his term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace."

"This trial should not be taking place," Trump added. "It is a witch hunt that should end immediately."

The letter also confirmed that Trump had directed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to initiate an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into what the administration described as "unfair and discriminatory practices" by Brazil's government. Such probes have historically been a prelude to escalating tariffs or broader economic sanctions.