President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday, April 9, before participating in the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States - CELAC. Following the schedule in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, Lula gave an interview to the press in which he underscored his wish to strengthen trade relations between Brazil and Mexico.

“It is very important for Mexico and Brazil to be together. Not only to help strengthen Latin America but to strengthen trade between the two countries,” he stated. “What I proposed to President Claudia [Sheinbaum] is that we hold two major business events, one in Mexico and one in Brazil, so that our businesspeople can prospect business opportunities and we can increase our trade relations,” he added. Lula pointed out that the idea is to hold these events every two years in Brazil and Mexico, in a model similar to the one he agreed upon with the Japanese government during his official visit at the end of March for the Brazil-Japan Business Forum.

It is very important for Mexico and Brazil to be together. Not only to help strengthen Latin America but to strengthen trade between the two countries.”
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,
President of Brazil

MULTILATERALISM — To journalists, Lula also expressed concern about the possible impacts of the US decisions to tax products imported from countries such as Brazil and China and defended multilateralism. “Wanting to negotiate individually is putting an end to multilateralism, which is very important for the economic tranquility the world needs. The hegemony of one country over others — whether military, cultural, industrial, technological, or economic — is unacceptable. It is important that everyone's sovereignty is respected and their decisions are taken into account,” he said.

The president emphasized that the Brazilian government‘s position is based on negotiation and on avoiding disputes. “Everything in Brazil is done based on conversation, based on a negotiating table. This is how we want to transform Brazil into a country with a strong economy. By talking, negotiating, and reaching agreements,” he explained.

UNIFIED CANDIDACY — Lula also addressed the Brazilian proposal for a unified CELAC candidacy backing a woman for the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General position.  “I believe it will work, because women are on the rise, they are occupying increasingly better positions. Women are proving that they are often more competent than men in many things. Women are more sensitive, and I think that the 21st century can truly be the century of women,” he declared.