• Brazil's President Lula called on Trump to lift a 40% tariff on Brazilian goods.
• The leaders had a friendly 30-minute conversation on October 6.
• Both presidents noted their positive chemistry from a prior in-person encounter at the UN.
• Lula suggested a future meeting in Malaysia or the US to further discuss trade relations.
• The US has a trade surplus with Brazil, although tensions have recently escalated due to tariffs.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged US President Donald Trump to remove the 40% tariff imposed on Brazilian imports during a 30-minute phone call on October 6. This conversation marks a significant moment as it reflects a potential thaw in relations that have been strained due to Trump's aggressive tariff policies. The tariff was part of a broader 50% tariff following the trial and conviction of Lula's predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, for attempted coup after his electoral loss in 2022, according to Le Monde, TRT Global, and India Times.

During the call, Lula reiterated his invitation for Trump to attend the upcoming climate summit in Belem, Brazil. Trump's response indicated he found the conversation productive, describing it as "very good" on his Truth Social account. He noted that they discussed various topics but mostly focused on economic relations, expressing hope for "further discussions" and potential meetings in both countries, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

In addition to discussing tariffs, the leaders exchanged phone numbers to establish direct communication and hinted at a possible meeting during the ASEAN summit in Malaysia this month. Lula's office indicated that both presidents recall their "good chemistry" from their prior encounter at the UN General Assembly, which had been a backdrop for tense relations due to past accusations and tariff increases, as outlined by Reuters and South China Morning Post.

The backdrop of this interaction includes Trump's imposition of tariffs as a reaction to Brazil's judicial actions against Bolsonaro, whom Trump described as a "highly respected leader." With both economies closely interlinked, especially in agriculture and energy, the implications of these tariffs are significant; the US traditionally maintains a trade surplus with Brazil, undermining the rationale behind the punitive measures. Lula's administration remains hopeful for a resolution that favors Brazilian exports, as articulated in discussions with various news outlets, including Al Jazeera and Al Jazeera.