China’s Xi urges ‘self-reliance,’ unity in call with Brazil's Lula amid Trump tariffs

ISTANBUL

China’s President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for “self-reliance” as well as unity among nations and a determined stand against unilateralism and protectionism, during a phone call with Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva.

Xi noted China’s ties with Brazil were “at their best in history, with a good start and strong momentum in building the China-Brazil community with a shared future and aligning development strategies,” according to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

“China stands ready to work with Brazil to set an example of uniting for strength among major Global South countries and to build a more just world and sustainable planet,” said Xi.

He said the two nations can “set an example of unity and self-reliance” in the Global South, according to an official readout released by Beijing.

The call, which lasted around 60 minutes, came as the US has punished Brazil with staggering 50% tariffs while Washington and Beijing extended their tariff truce by 90 more days from Tuesday.

Xi told Lula that China “supports Brazil in upholding its sovereignty and safeguarding its legitimate interests.”

“Countries should unite and take a clear stand against unilateralism and protectionism,” he said, noting that the BRICS mechanism was a “key platform for building consensus in the Global South.”

Brazil is the current chair of the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, which US President Donald Trump has called “anti-American.”

He added that China and Brazil should continue to jointly address global challenges, ensure the success of the UN Climate Change Conference in the Brazilian city of Belem, and promote the role of the "Group of Friends of Peace" in promoting a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis.

Brazil and China have launched the group to seek a political end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Lula reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to strengthening ties with China, enhancing strategic synergy, and promoting bilateral development.

"We welcomed the progress already achieved in the synergies between the national development programs of the two countries and committed to expanding the scope of cooperation to sectors such as health, oil and gas, digital economy, and satellites," he said on X after the phone call.

Ties between the world’s second-largest economy and the Latin American nation have blossomed in recent years as China has remained Brazil’s largest trading partner since 2009.

Amid rising trade ties of around $158 billion last year, Brazil is also considering opening a tax advisory office in China to facilitate economic issues.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid