(MENAFN) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held a nearly hour-long phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss global and bilateral issues. Lula condemned the political use of trade tariffs against Brazil and updated Macron on Brazil’s measures to protect its workers and companies. He also briefed Macron on Brazil’s appeal to the World Trade Organization regarding what he called unjustified U.S. tariffs.

The leaders emphasized Brazil’s commitment to expanding trade agreements, including efforts to finalize a Mercosur-EU deal during Brazil’s current presidency. Macron reiterated his support for an “ambitious” EU-Mercosur agreement, provided it protects French and European agricultural interests and benefits both economies.

Lula and Macron also stressed boosting cooperation between developed nations and the Global South to promote trade based on multilateral rules. Lula highlighted multilateralism as a key theme for the upcoming BRICS virtual summit in September. On climate change, he said COP-30 (2025 UN Climate Change Conference) would be “the COP of truth” and called on the EU to set climate targets aligned with the global challenge.

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