Trump's shift from hostility to courting Brazil's leftist leader - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Pedro Nakamura

March 2, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

When President Trump returned to the White House last year, many in Brazil anticipated a tense relationship with leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva following his defeat of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro. However, instead of hostility, there has been a notable shift in U.S.-Brazilian relations, driven by strategic interests. Trump initially imposed tariffs on Brazilian exports and sanctions against Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who was overseeing Bolsonaro's trial for coup-related charges. Bolsonaro, who remains in prison with a 27-year sentence, was a key Trump ally. However, Brazil stood firm, leading to a reconsideration of the U.S. approach. The shift is largely due to Brazil's possession of rare-earth minerals critical to high-tech industries like electric vehicles and artificial intelligence hardware. With the world’s second-largest reserves, Brazil has become a strategic partner for the U.S., aiming to counter China's dominance in the global rare-earths market, which refines 70% of these essential metals on average. Trump's overtures have now turned toward securing access to these resources, with talks of a meeting between Trump and Lula in the works. The U.S. also faced setbacks in its attempts to influence Brazil’s internal affairs, such as halting Bolsonaro’s prosecution or regulating tech companies like social media platforms. Brazil’s Supreme Court established stricter content moderation rules, resisting Trump's pressure. This independence from U.S. intervention has likely contributed to the warming of relations. The renewed engagement between the U.S. and Brazil reflects a broader geopolitical strategy to challenge China's influence in critical minerals. By courting Lula, Trump seeks to leverage Brazil’s resources for economic and technological advantage. This shift highlights the growing importance of resource

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 3/2/2026