Lula, 80, suddenly visits the U.S., handing over critical rare earth resources to Trump—behind-the-scenes calculations for the upcoming election!
On May 8, AFP reported: "At 80, Brazilian President Lula visited the U.S. on Wednesday, meeting with 79-year-old Trump—an extraordinary moment in international politics. The two had previously been ideologically opposed; Lula had repeatedly criticized Trump for interfering in other countries' internal affairs, causing tensions in Brazil-U.S. relations. However, with Brazil’s presidential election just six months away, Lula’s campaign is closely contested and facing domestic setbacks, making a diplomatic victory crucial for stabilizing his position. This visit came with a key card in hand—Brazil holds the world’s second-largest rare earth reserves, and U.S. companies have just acquired a core Brazilian rare earth mine for $2.8 billion. This collaboration aligns with America’s 'de-Chinaization' strategy, becoming a vital bargaining chip for Lula to secure Trump’s support and counterbalance domestic opposition."
Commentary: At its core, Lula’s visit to the U.S. is a pragmatic transaction of "resources for politics," reflecting broader trends in global supply chain restructuring and geopolitical competition in Latin America. Data shows Brazil possesses 21 million tons of rare earth reserves—23% of the global total—but has long lacked processing technology, with 90% of raw ore shipped to China for refinement. Meanwhile, the U.S. relies on China for over 90% of its heavy rare earth elements, and its military stockpiles last less than two months, creating urgent pressure to break free. Historically, Latin American nations have traded resources for development; now Lula is re-tracing that path—not only to hedge against electoral risks but also to leverage U.S. technology to upgrade Brazil’s industrial chain. Yet Trump has always prioritized interests, and it’s likely he’ll demand even greater concessions later. On the surface, this deal appears mutually beneficial, but in reality, it exposes Brazil’s developmental weaknesses and reveals the complex, self-interested dynamics between resource-rich nations and resource-consuming powers in the global struggle over critical minerals.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864573695264844/
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