• Lula and Trump met at ASEAN summit to discuss addressing US tariffs on Brazilian goods.
• Bilateral negotiations are set to begin "immediately" to resolve trade tensions.
• Lula expressed optimism that a trade deal could be reached within days.
• Discussions included Brazil's potential role in mediating US-Venezuela relations.
• Trump signaled a desire for "pretty good deals" for both nations.

During a recent meeting at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and US President Donald Trump initiated discussions to improve trade relations, focusing on resolving existing tariff issues. Lula described the meeting as "surprisingly good," indicating that both parties would begin negotiations "immediately" on tariffs and sanctions imposed by the US on Brazilian goods, which had increased from 10% to 50% earlier this year. Both leaders expressed optimism towards reaching agreements beneficial for both countries, according to aljazeera and channelnewsasia.

In his statements, Lula emphasized the importance of addressing US sanctions which he deemed "incorrect," particularly in light of their impact on Brazilian exports. Trump's tariff policy, linked to investigations against former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, has created ripples in US-Brazil relations. Nevertheless, Lula noted he believes a definitive solution can be achieved rapidly, potentially within days, as he was assured by Trump during their talks, as reported by Reuters and The Jakarta Post.

Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira also participated in the discussions, expressing hopes that negotiations would clearly delineate the sectors under discussion, aiming for a collaborative environment to achieve an optimal outcome for both nations. Lula's prior response to the tariff was that it constituted a "mistake," highlighting a significant trade surplus between the countries over the last 15 years. The potential for mutual benefit was emphasized when he stated that Brazil could also assist the US regarding its relations with Venezuela, as stated in The Hill and India Times.

Despite previous tensions surrounding Bolsonaro's legal issues, which Trump dubbed a "witch hunt," both leaders sought to forge a path towards improved relations. Trump reiterated that he views the discussions positively, expressing confidence in formulating "pretty good deals" that can benefit both economies. This emerging partnership, alongside discussions of potential agreements affecting various sectors, signals a hopeful shift in US-Brazil relations, according to aa and aljazeera.