NEW YORK: President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in New York today.
This meeting comes as the leaders of the largest democracies in the Western Hemisphere aim to identify areas of common ground, despite recent differences concerning the conflict in Ukraine and other global matters.
One of the primary topics of discussion is expected to be labor and the environment. Senior U.S. administration officials, who provided a preview of the meeting, mentioned that the two nations are set to announce a partnership focusing on workers’ rights.
While initial expectations hinted at Lula being a staunch ally for Biden, recent months have shown a tempered approach, with the Brazilian leader expressing opposition on certain issues and occasionally challenging Washington’s stance. Lula has, at times, dismissed allegations of Venezuela’s authoritarianism, advocated for reduced dependence on the dollar in global trade, and accused the U.S. of contributing to violence in Ukraine through military aid. In his recent address at the U.N. General Assembly, Lula criticized the U.S. embargo and sanctions targeting Cuba.
Thomas Traumann, a Brazilian political analyst, emphasized Lula’s expectation to be treated as a partner rather than being lectured by the U.S. and the White House. The goal is to establish a relationship of respect, acknowledging disagreements while acknowledging shared interests.
Biden’s relationship with Lula’s predecessor, far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, was strained. Bolsonaro, an avid admirer of Donald Trump, delayed recognizing Biden’s 2020 election victory, and it took over a year for a bilateral meeting to occur due to concerns about Bolsonaro’s stance on Brazil’s election system.
Following Bolsonaro’s defeat, his supporters attempted to remove Lula from power by storming the capital. This incident bore a resemblance to the January 6 Capitol riot in the U.S. Lula swiftly visited Washington, where he and Biden bonded over their experiences in overcoming challenges to democracy.
The meeting on Wednesday will be the second between the two leaders. The planned labor partnership aims to address workers’ exploitation, forced labor, child labor, and workplace discrimination, according to U.S. officials who spoke anonymously to preview the announcement.
Labor issues hold significant importance for Lula, who began his political career as the leader of a powerful metalworkers’ union. The leaders are also expected to discuss environmental preservation, with Lula seeking financial contributions for the Amazon rainforest. His administration has already made notable progress in addressing deforestation in the Amazon.
Under Bolsonaro’s presidency, deforestation in the Amazon had surged to a 15-year high, as he advocated for the rainforest’s development. In contrast, Lula has taken measures to protect the Amazon by reestablishing environmental agencies, creating protected areas for Indigenous people, and expelling illegal miners. These efforts resulted in a significant drop in deforestation during his initial months in office.
Lula has sought international contributions for Brazil’s Amazon Fund, but donations have been relatively small. The U.S. pledged a $50 million donation to the initiative in February, with additional funding pending Congressional approval.
Regarding recent criticisms of the U.S. embargo and sanctions targeting Cuba, U.S. officials downplayed Lula’s comments. They highlighted the Biden administration’s steps in lifting travel restrictions to Cuba and the ongoing process of restarting remittances to the country.
