Brazil's Lula asks Trump to remove tariffs and sanctions
ReutersOCT 3
Presidents Trump and Lula Speak on Phone Amid U.S.-Brazil Trade Tensions
Above: Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the speech of U.S. President Donald Trump at UNGA on Sept. 23, 2025. Image copyright: David Dee Delgado/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Positive talks with Trump are just the latest example of Lula's diplomatic skills even when he meets challenging circumstances. That Marco Rubio has been named as the U.S. lead negotiator means that Brazil could have an uphill path, but that Trump did not mention Bolsonaro at all may be a good omen for the Brazilian government.
Opposition narrative
It's delusional for the Brazilian government and its aligned media to celebrate the call as positive when Trump has designated Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lead negotiations with Brazil. After all, Rubio is fully aware of how leftist totalitarian regimes operate in Latin America and won't fall for the Lula-Moraes regime's tricks.