Lula strengthens diplomacy and seeking trade balance with Russia and China

President Lula is in Moscow, Russia, to participate in the 80th anniversary celebrations of the end of World War II. Next will go to Beijing, where a state visit is scheduled and where the IV China-Celac Forum takes place. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the trip marks Brazil’s diplomatic articulation by commercial balance and the defense of multilateralism.

Lula landed in the Russian capital on Wednesday (7). This Thursday (8) participates in dinner offered by President Vladimir Putin. On Friday (9), there is the great civic-military parade in the Red Square where the day of Soviet victory against Nazism is celebrated. According to Kremlin, the parade should gather about 30 world leaders.

In addition to participating in the celebration, Lula should sign acts in the area of ​​Science and Technology and Agribusiness, as well as establish agreements that balance the trade balance.

Read more: Acts celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet “Victory Day” on Nazism

Upon arrival in the country, the president stressed the importance of multilateralism: “I am already in Russia to participate in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of victory day, which marked the end of World War II. The day that defines victory against Nazism. The coming to Russia reaffirms our commitment to multilateralism. We will sign cooperation agreements in science and technology and seek to expand our commercial partnerships,” he said.

According to Itamaraty, diplomatic relations between Brazil and Russia date from 1828. From 2002, in Lula’s first term, the partnership became strategic. In 2009, the BRICS were formed, and South Africa entered two years later.

Also according to the folder, Russia is the fifth country of whom Brazil most imports products, mainly being fuel oils of oil, fertilizers and fertilizers. Most of Brazil exports, mostly, beef and birds, soy, non -roasted coffee and tobacco. In the first three months of this year the trade balance was $ 12.4 billion, and Brazil exported US $ 1.45 billion and imported US $ 10.9 billion.

China

After Russia, Lula and entourage will go to China, where they should be between 12 and 13 May.

At a press conference, Ambassador Eduardo Saboia, Secretary of Asia and Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explained that there are 16 protocols and announcements already defined and another 32 in negotiation with the Chinese.

Thus, part of these agreements must be negotiated and announced on Lula’s visit. As the ambassador indicated, the acts that should be signed concern the areas of: agriculture, trade, investments, infrastructure, industry, energy, mining, finance, science and technology, communications, sustainable development, tourism, sports, health, education and culture.

Read more: Lula, Xi and Putin celebrate the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II

“From a commercial point of view, our exports to China are superior to our sales to the United States and the European Union. Brazil is the seventh main supplier of China. So it is a time to explore new aspects of cooperation,” says Saboia.

In commerce China is Brazil’s main partner, both in imports and exports. The trade balance from January to March 2025 was US $ 38.8 billion (Brazil exported US $ 19.8 billion and imported US $ 19 billion). Imports are mainly vessels, telecommunications equipment, electrical machines and appliances, valves and thermal tubes (valves). Exports are gross oil, soy and iron and concentrated ore oils.

This will be Lula’s fourth official visit to China. In April 2023, at the time the third visit was the largest agreement in the history of Brazil-China, 15 government acts and 32 business agreements.

At the time of the current visit, the Brazilian delegation also participates in the China-Celac Forum (Latin American and Caribbean Community) as a way to bring the Asian giant closer to the 33 developing countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.