Trump, Lula Launch Immediate Talks on Tariffs

Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Donald Trump held an hour‑long, constructive meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur and expressed optimism about repairing ties. They agreed their negotiating teams would begin talks immediately to resolve a trade dispute after the U.S. raised tariffs on most Brazilian goods from about 10% to roughly 50% in August and to address U.S. sanctions on Brazilian officials. Brazil has asked that the tariffs be suspended while talks proceed, and each side sent senior economic and foreign‑policy advisers to pursue concrete, sector‑by‑sector negotiations. Trump linked the tariff move to what he called a “witch hunt” against former president Jair Bolsonaro and recent conviction‑related unrest; observers said a deal could ease U.S. food‑price pressures and reshape supply chains. The immediate next steps are technical talks to set a timetable and sectoral agenda, with any tariff suspension to be determined in upcoming meetings.