Brazil and US presidents vow to deepen relations, address climate crisis

Americas, News February 12, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva met with United States President Joe Biden during his trip to the U.S. on February 10, 2023. The leaders pledged to work together on climate change and democracy, despite their evident disagreements over the Russia-Ukraine war.

This was Lula’s first trip to the U.S. since he recently took the President’s office last month. During his visit to Washington, he was aiming to boost relationships with aiming to boost the relationship between the two largest nations from the western hemisphere, especially after his political rival and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s stormy rule over the country.

During the meeting, Washington reaffirmed to provide support for a fund that aims to protect the Amazon rainforest. U.S. President Joe Biden also agreed to travel to Brazil in the coming months. According to a joint statement released by Brazil, the two leaders spoke of shared values in fighting climate change and protecting democracy against a rise in authoritarianism.

“We have to continue to stand up for democracy and our democratic values that form the core of our strength,” Biden told Lula before the two leaders met in the White House for a private meeting. Biden also added that the two were on the “same page” about the “climate crisis”, strengthening democracy, and promoting respect for human rights.

Building a stronger United States-Brazil partnership for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/9sQXyPm8yn
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 11, 2023

According to the White House statement, “President Biden and President Lula pledged to work together to strengthen democratic institutions and welcomed the second Summit for Democracy to be held in March 2023.” The Joint Statement Following the meeting also highlighted that “Both leaders noted they continue to reject extremism and violence in politics, condemned hate speech, and reaffirmed their intention to build societal resilience to disinformation, and agreed to work together on these issues.”

Brazil’s former president and Lula’s far-right rival Bolsonaro had enjoyed vocal support from former U.S. President Trump, but Brazil’s diplomatic relations severely damaged with other traditional allies and the U.S. after Biden administration took charge while Bolsonaro was still president. Brazil “self-marginalized itself for four years” under the former president, Lula said at the White House, without mentioning Bolsonaro by name.

A balanced joint statement was released after the meeting that also mentioned the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. “They deplored the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine by Russia and the annexation of parts of its territory as flagrant violations of international law and called for a just and durable peace.” The two leaders were not expected to agree on all the matters related to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war given Brazil’s stance of neutrality.

Lula made it clear that he wants to see a negotiated discussion of peace with the involvement of more neutral global players, a position he said he discussed with Biden. He also added that he sensed from Biden the same interest in ending the war.

*^{Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva with United States President Joe Biden during his trip to the U.S. on February 10, 2023. (Image Credit: Twitter/@POTUS)}*

However, the Brazilian leader defended his decision not to provide any artillery ammunition support to Ukraine. “If I sent the ammunition, I would be joining the war. I don’t want to join the war. I want peace,” he said.

The Biden administration agreed to work with Congress to provide “initial support” for the Amazon Fund started by Germany and Norway to back the protection of the rainforest and sustainable development projects. The United States is planning an initial donation of $50 million, underlining the resetting of ties between the two countries after the recent period of frosty relations. Brazil has been eager for more countries to contribute.