SAO PAULO — SAO PAULO (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday invited Brazilian Overseas Minister Mauro Vieira to satisfy in particular person quickly in Washington as Brazil seeks an easing of U.S. tariffs, the Brazilian Overseas Ministry stated.

The decision adopted a Monday cellphone dialog between Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Donald Trump, throughout which Lula requested Trump to elevate a 40% tariff on Brazilian imports.

“Following a constructive dialogue on the bilateral agenda, each side agreed their groups would meet quickly in Washington to proceed discussions on financial and commerce points,” the Brazilian ministry stated in an announcement.

Rubio’s outreach marks a step towards easing tensions between the 2 international locations exacerbated by the tariffs and U.S. sanctions on high Brazilian officers. The sanctions have been tied to the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was later sentenced to 27 years in jail for making an attempt a coup to stay in energy after shedding his 2022 election bid.

Lula and Trump first met briefly in September in the course of the U.N. Basic Meeting in New York, when Trump described their interplay as having “nice chemistry.”

On Monday, the 2 leaders spoke for half-hour, exchanged cellphone numbers and Lula reiterated his invitation for Trump to attend the upcoming local weather summit in Belem, in line with Lula’s workplace.

Trump later posted on Fact Social that the dialog targeted on commerce and the economic system. “We will likely be having additional discussions and can get collectively within the not too distant future, each in Brazil and america,” he wrote.

The Trump administration imposed a 40% tariff on Brazilian items in July, on high of a earlier 10% tariff. Lula reminded Trump that the U.S. maintains a commerce surplus with Brazil, certainly one of solely three G20 international locations in that class.

The White Home has echoed claims by Bolsonaro allies that his prosecution represented a breakdown within the rule of legislation and that the case was politically motivated.

Regardless of U.S. strain, the Brazilian Supreme Court docket proceeded with Bolsonaro’s trial and sentencing. Within the aftermath, Trump stated he was “very sad” and Rubio stated on his X account that the U.S. authorities would “reply accordingly to this witch hunt.”

Brazilian officers had anticipated retaliation from the U.S., however Lula expressed an optimistic tone Thursday in feedback to an area radio station during which he praised Trump.

“He known as me within the kindest method a human being can deal with one other,” Lula stated. “We’re two 80-year-olds main the best democracies within the West. We should present the world cordiality and concord, not discord and battle.”

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