Ask Onix
White House summit aims to ease US-Brazil tensions
US President Donald Trump will host Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the White House on Thursday for discussions on trade barriers, critical minerals, and transnational crime, as both leaders seek to mend a strained relationship.
Trade tariffs remain a key sticking point
Tensions between Washington and Brasília have centered on trade since Trump reimposed tariffs targeting Brazilian exports. In July 2025, the US added a 40% duty on select Brazilian goods, a move widely seen as retaliation for Brazil's handling of former President Jair Bolsonaro's legal troubles. Bolsonaro, a Trump ally, was sentenced to 27 years in prison last November for orchestrating an attempted coup.
While the Trump administration has since rolled back some tariffs-including a February Supreme Court ruling that struck down portions of the levies-Brazil continues to press for further reductions. Current US tariffs affect nearly 30% of Brazilian exports, according to the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC). First-quarter exports to the US fell 18.7% year-over-year to $7.8 billion, the lowest level since 1997.
Critical minerals and security on the agenda
Beyond trade, the leaders are expected to discuss cooperation on critical minerals, including rare earth elements essential for clean energy, electronics, and defense industries. The US has sought to reduce reliance on China, which controls 60% of global reserves and 90% of refining capacity, by securing alternative supply chains.
Brazil holds the world's second-largest rare earth reserves, positioning it as a potential US partner. However, negotiations have stalled over Brazil's demand for greater state oversight and local processing of minerals, rather than raw exports. Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin told Valor Econômico that discussions could cover "big tech, rare earths, and strategic minerals."
Organized crime and diplomatic thaw
A White House official confirmed the leaders will also address "economic and security matters of shared importance," including a proposed pact to combat organized crime. The meeting follows a turbulent period in US-Brazil relations, marked by Trump's 2025 letter urging Lula to drop charges against Bolsonaro.
Despite past friction-Lula once told the BBC he had "no relationship" with Trump-the two leaders have shown signs of rapprochement. A brief encounter at the 2025 UN General Assembly appeared to ease tensions, with Trump later calling Lula "a very nice man" and praising their "excellent chemistry." Their last formal meeting occurred in Malaysia during Trump's second term.
Uncertain outcomes ahead of talks
Brazilian negotiators have a lengthy list of priorities, but a source told BBC Brasil that the White House's "temperature" for the meeting will determine which issues advance. While the US has recently softened some tariffs, Brazil seeks deeper concessions to revive its struggling exports.
"There is room for cooperation in critical minerals, but Brazil will not accept terms that prioritize US interests over its own,"
Brazilian government source
The Thursday session, scheduled for late morning, will test whether the two leaders can translate diplomatic gestures into concrete agreements.
