IRIA News

7 minute read

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reaffirmed their shared commitment to the United Nations during a phone call on January 23, 2026, amid international debate triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly unveiled “Board of Peace.”

The exchange between the two BRICS leaders came as Washington promotes the initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos, with its scope and long-term implications still unclear. While neither China nor Brazil has confirmed participation in the U.S.-led body, both emphasized the importance of preserving existing multilateral institutions, particularly the UN.

President Trump formally launched the Board of Peace during a signing ceremony in Davos, following earlier remarks at the World Economic Forum. Initially presented as a mechanism to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, the board’s charter does not explicitly limit its mandate to the Palestinian territory.

Trump said the board “can do pretty much whatever we want,” adding that it would operate “in conjunction with the United Nations.” These comments have drawn scrutiny from governments and analysts, with some European leaders questioning whether the initiative could sideline or even replace existing UN mechanisms.

China and Brazil were both invited to join the board, but neither attended the signing ceremony nor confirmed participation. Beijing’s foreign ministry reiterated that “no matter how the international situation changes, China firmly upholds the international system with the United Nations at its core.” Brazilian officials voiced similar concerns, with Lula’s special adviser, Celso Amorim, stating, “We cannot consider a reform of the UN made by one country.”

Xi and Lula Stress Multilateralism

According to Chinese state media and official readouts, Xi told Lula that China and Brazil, as major countries of the Global South, are “constructive forces in maintaining world peace and stability.” He called on both sides to “stand firmly on the right side of history” and to jointly uphold international fairness and justice through the UN framework.

“Facing the turbulent international landscape, China and Brazil, as important members of the Global South, should firmly stand on the right side of history, better champion the common interests of both countries and the Global South, and jointly uphold the central position of the United Nations,” Xi said.

Xi also highlighted the economic and developmental dimension of the bilateral relationship. “China’s high-quality development and continued opening-up will provide more opportunities for cooperation,” he said, noting that in 2024 the two countries elevated their relationship to a “community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet.”

Xi added that over the past year, the building of this community has gained solid momentum, with deepening alignment between their development strategies, setting an example of unity and cooperation among Global South countries.

Lula echoed this view, describing Brazil and China as important forces in defending multilateralism and upholding free trade. He said Brazil was willing to work closely with China to uphold the authority of the UN and strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries to safeguard peace and stability regionally and globally. He also highlighted the progress in bilateral cooperation since Xi’s historic visit to Brazil in 2024, which elevated ties to a new level across multiple sectors.

Brazil’s presidency confirmed the call lasted approximately 45 minutes, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to the UN as a cornerstone of global peace and stability. The exchange followed Lula’s recent public criticism of U.S. actions in Venezuela, which he described as undermining international law and the post–World War II multilateral order.

Broader Geopolitical Context

The Xi–Lula call comes amid broader shifts in global geopolitics, as Trump’s “America First” policies reshape diplomatic and economic relationships. Analysts note that China and Brazil have increasingly projected unity in defending multilateral frameworks, particularly during periods of heightened trade friction and political uncertainty.

During Trump’s global tariff push last year, Beijing and Brasília sought to present themselves as defenders of the multilateral trading system. Xi previously told Lula that the two countries could set an example of “self-reliance” for emerging powers, a theme that continues to feature prominently in their diplomatic exchanges.

China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, maintains deep engagement with the organization, even as it objects to what it describes as interference in internal affairs. While some advocacy groups have accused Beijing of attempting to weaken parts of the UN system, Chinese officials have rejected such characterizations, arguing that their approach reflects support for sovereignty and balanced reform.

Economic Ties and Development Cooperation

Alongside political coordination, Xi and Lula emphasized the strength and resilience of China–Brazil economic relations. Xi said China’s high-quality development and continued opening-up would provide more opportunities for cooperation, noting that the two countries elevated their relationship in 2024 to a “community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet.”

Lula said Xi’s visit to Brazil last year marked a historic step that lifted bilateral ties to a new level, with cooperation across multiple sectors making notable progress. He added that Brazil was ready to deepen ties further, including cooperation between China and Latin America more broadly.

Economic data underscores this trend. Brazil’s trade relationship with China reached a record level in 2025, with total bilateral trade climbing to $171 billion, the highest figure since records began in 1997. China remains Brazil’s largest trading partner, reflecting long-term structural complementarity between the two economies.

Analysts note that while trade has traditionally focused on agricultural and resource-based commodities, future cooperation is expected to expand into manufacturing, industrial chains, and scientific and technological innovation. Recent meetings between Brazilian officials and representatives of Chinese companies in sectors such as energy, mining, construction, and electrical storage point to this diversification.

The reaffirmation of UN-centered multilateralism by China and Brazil also comes amid renewed external pressures on Latin America. Washington imposed a 50 percent tariff on a broad range of Brazilian products in July 2025, prompting Brasília to accelerate efforts to diversify its trade partnerships.

As ties with China deepen, several Latin American countries have reported record export levels despite U.S. tariffs. Analysts argue that for many countries in the region, economic engagement with China has become an entrenched reality, shaping policy choices even as governments seek to balance relations with Washington.

Within this context, China has signaled its intention to remain, in Xi’s words, “a good friend and partner” to Latin America and the Caribbean, while Brazil has emphasized strategic autonomy and opposition to what Lula has called hegemonic approaches to global governance.

Question of Global Governance

The Xi–Lula call underscores a broader Global South effort to reinforce existing multilateral institutions rather than replace them. Analysts note that as Trump’s Board of Peace raises questions over potential competition with the UN, China and Brazil are signaling a clear preference for strengthening UN-centered multilateralism.

Lula’s office confirmed that both leaders “reiterated their commitment to strengthening the United Nations as a path to safeguarding peace and stability in the world.”

Against a turbulent international landscape, Xi and Lula’s conversation highlighted China and Brazil’s dual approach: safeguarding global governance and multilateralism while advancing bilateral and regional economic and political cooperation, setting an example for other Global South countries.