BEIJING: China’s President Xi Jinping told his Brazilian counterpart on Tuesday (Aug 12) the two countries could set an example of “self-reliance” for emerging powers, as trade and geopolitical challenges mount.
The two leaders have both sought in recent months to present their countries as staunch defenders of the multilateral trading system – in stark contrast with US President Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught.
Xi’s call with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday came just hours after Trump announced another 90-day pause to blistering tariffs on China.
It also followed indications from Lula last week he planned to speak with the leaders of India and China to consider a coordinated response to US trade measures.
Xi told Lula that ties between China and Brazil are now at an all-time high, according to state news agency Xinhua.
He said China would “work with Brazil to set an example of unity and self-reliance among major countries in the Global South” and “jointly build a more just world and more sustainable planet”, according to Xinhua.
Xi added that “all countries should unite and firmly oppose unilateralism and protectionism”, Xinhua reported – a thinly veiled reference to US tariffs.
A statement by the Brazilian presidency said the phone call lasted about an hour, during which time Lula and Xi discussed a range of topics including the war in Ukraine and combatting climate change.
“Both agreed on the role of the G20 and BRICS in defending multilateralism”, the statement said, referring to the Group of Twenty major economies and a bloc of emerging powers.
The leaders also “committed to expanding the scope of cooperation in sectors such as health, oil and gas, digital economy and satellites”, the statement added.
