July 27, V7N – Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed support for Brazil in resisting “external interference” during a phone call with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, according to Chinese state media.
The conversation, held less than three months before Brazil’s upcoming election between Lula and right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro, highlighted Beijing’s backing of Brazil’s sovereignty. Xi told Lula that China “highly values Brazil’s global standing and influence” and supports its efforts to safeguard independence while contributing to peace and stability.
A statement from Lula’s office noted that both leaders emphasized accelerating talks on a Mercosur-China trade agreement. Lula, facing mounting tariff pressure from Washington, reiterated his commitment to diversifying Brazil’s trade partners. The United States, Brazil’s second-largest trading partner, has imposed successive tariff hikes in 2025 and 2026, citing political tensions linked to former president Jair Bolsonaro’s imprisonment after a coup-plot trial.
Lula has condemned the tariffs as politically motivated interference in an election year. In a related move, Brazil recently denied visas to two US officials who sought meetings with election authorities in Brasília ahead of the October vote.
Meanwhile, Flavio Bolsonaro has revived baseless claims about Brazil’s voting system, echoing false election narratives promoted by US President Donald Trump. The Brazilian presidency’s statement did not clarify whether Xi’s remarks on “external interference” were directly discussed during the call.
END/WD/RH
END / WD/ RH
