Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is gearing up for pivotal visits to Moscow and Beijing in May, reinforcing Brazil’s strategic partnerships with Russia and China as global trade tensions escalate. Lula’s trip comes at a critical moment, with fears mounting over a potential worldwide trade war triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
Lula will attend Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat, before heading to Beijing for the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum on May 12. These visits underscore Brazil’s commitment to deepening ties with its BRICS partners – Russia, China, India, and South Africa—especially as Brazil holds the BRICS presidency in 2025 and prepares to host the upcoming summit in Rio de Janeiro this July.
China remains Brazil’s largest trading partner, accounting for 28% of Brazilian exports and supplying nearly a quarter of its imports in 2024. In contrast, the United States ranks second, but recent U.S. tariff hikes have raised concerns. Lula has openly criticized Washington’s protectionist measures, warning that they threaten free trade and weaken multilateral cooperation.
As Brazil strengthens its alliances within BRICS and Latin America, Lula’s diplomatic efforts highlight the bloc’s growing role in shaping a more balanced and resilient global economic order—one that champions emerging markets and counters unilateral trade disruptions.