Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Lula states Trump guaranteed to reach trade agreement


(MENAFN) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated on Monday that a trade agreement with the United States is "guaranteed" after his meeting with President Donald Trump in Malaysia, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN summit.

"Although he (Trump) didn't make any promise, he guaranteed to me that we will reach an agreement, a deal, and I think it's going to be faster than many people are thinking," Lula told reporters in Kuala Lumpur, a day after their discussion.

Lula noted that he raised the situation in Venezuela during the meeting. "I raised the Venezuelan issue to him ... And I told him that it would be extremely important to take an account Brazil's expense as the largest country in South America, as the most important economic country of the South America ... He should take in account that Brazil can help him in the relationship with Venezuela," he said.

Trump has previously accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading a drug-trafficking organization, amid concerns over US intentions to remove him from power.

Lula also expressed Brazil’s support for Malaysia becoming a full member of BRICS, the economic bloc comprising 11 countries.

In a separate statement posted on US-based social media platform X, Lula described the encounter with Trump as "great." "We discussed the bilateral trade and economic agenda in a frank and constructive manner. We agreed that our teams will meet immediately to advance in the search for solutions to the tariffs and sanctions against Brazilian authorities," he wrote.

Trump, addressing the meeting on Sunday, said: "I think we should be able to make some pretty good deals for both countries."

The discussion came amid ongoing tensions following 50% US tariffs and sanctions on Brazilian officials linked to investigations involving former President Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally, who was sentenced to 27 years for plotting a coup.

Earlier in October, the two leaders had held a video call before deciding to meet in person.

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