On the last day of his official trip to China, this Friday (14th), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that relations with the Asian country did not cause a scratch between Brazil and the United States.
At the international level, China is at odds with the United States, Brazil’s historical partner, in crucial areas such as trade, industry and technology.
The President spoke to the press on his way out of the hotel. This Friday evening, Brazilian time, he began to return to Brazil. Before arriving in Brasília, he will pay an official visit to Abu Dhabi.
On leaving the hotel, the Brazilian journalists asked if Lula feared a negative reaction from the United States.
“I don’t believe it and there’s no reason for it. When I go to talk to the United States, I’m not worried about what China will think. I am speaking about the sovereign interests of my country. When I get to talk to China, neither do I. I worry about what the United States thinks. So does the United States, China, and all countries,” Lula said.
The President also said that Brazil does not need to split and fight with anyone to grow. . He defended that Brazil makes deals and deals with all countries in accordance with national interests and sovereignty.
“I leave satisfied because I felt an extreme desire from Xi Jinping and the ministers for this interaction with Brazil. Our strategic relationships continue to improve and we don’t need to fight or break up with anyone to improve,” he told Lula.
Lula also said that on his trip to China, he visited telecommunications company Huawei in view of Brazil’s technological growth. Huawei is a rival of US companies in the industry.
“I visited Huwaei because I need to make a digital revolution in our country. Our country is very backward,” said the President.
Lula says no one will ban Brazil from improving its ties with China and signs 15 deals with Xi Jinping
war in Ukraine
Lula was also asked about the conversation with Xi Jinping about the war in Ukraine, which has been occupied by Russia since February 2022.
The President reported that speaking to Xi Jinping, he once again defended his idea of a group of neutral countries mediating in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
“Yesterday [sextafeira] We have discussed extensively with Xi Jinping. It is necessary to form a group of countries willing to find a way to peace. I mean I’ve talked about it [em reuniões anteriores] with the Europeans, I have already discussed this with the Americans and I discussed it yesterday,” he said.
Lula also said countries supplying arms to the conflict should stop this stance. The United States and Western European countries are helping Ukraine with arms.
“It is necessary, above all, to persuade the countries that are supplying arms and promoting the war to stop doing so,” argued Lula.
“The US needs to stop promoting war and start talking about peace. The European Union must start talking about peace so that we can convince Putin [presidente da Rússia] and Zelensky [presidente da Ucrânia] that peace is of interest to everyone and that war is only of interest to both of them for the time being,” he added.