Beijing, Aug 12 — In a conversation that went beyond trade numbers and political statements, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shared a vision: two nations standing shoulder to shoulder, showing the world that unity and self-reliance are not just ideals, but achievable goals for the Global South.
With trade tensions still lingering and global challenges mounting, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to defending fair, multilateral cooperation. Their talk on Tuesday came just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a fresh pause on tariffs against China — a move that underscored the shifting dynamics of global trade.
Xi described China-Brazil relations as being at “an all-time high” and emphasized their potential to be a beacon of collaboration for other emerging economies. “We can set an example of unity and self-reliance among major countries in the Global South,” Xi said, stressing the importance of working towards a just and sustainable world.
The hour-long call covered an impressive range of topics — from the ongoing war in Ukraine to the urgent need to combat climate change. Both leaders agreed on the importance of the G20 and BRICS as platforms to safeguard multilateralism and cooperation in an increasingly polarized world.
They also pledged to deepen ties in health, oil and gas, digital technology, and space research. This partnership builds on years of growing ties between Beijing and Latin America — a region where China has now overtaken the U.S. as Brazil’s largest trading partner.
Brazil’s soybean exports remain a vital link in this relationship, with China relying heavily on them to feed its livestock and produce cooking oil. But shifting trade winds, driven by U.S. interests, continue to challenge this dynamic.
In May, Lula’s state visit to China underscored his desire for Latin America to remain a bridge-builder, not a battleground in global politics. “We don’t want to start a new Cold War,” he told a Beijing forum, reflecting a sentiment that today’s conversation with Xi clearly echoed.
The message was clear: in a world facing division and uncertainty, China and Brazil are betting on partnership, resilience, and mutual respect — values they believe can inspire others across the Global South.
