Not waiting any longer, Brazil to visit China

On May 28, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that Brazilian Foreign Minister Viéira will pay an official visit to China from May 31 to June 2, 2025.

There are three points worth noting:

First, Brazilian President Lula visited China in May 2025 and held talks with Chinese leaders, during which many consensus were reached.

Lula emphasized that cooperation with China is extremely important and that Brazil will unswervingly support China.

Second, Chinese and Brazilian leaders spoke in January this year, and Lula expressed strong agreement with a series of views put forward by China, including unwavering cooperation, firmly standing on the right side of history, better safeguarding the common interests of both countries and the Global South, and upholding the core role of the United Nations as well as international fairness and justice.

Third, Brazil is eager to deepen cooperation with China, especially in agriculture, energy, mining, artificial intelligence, and other fields, as China holds key advantages in these areas, and Brazil cannot afford to be disconnected from China’s supply chains and markets.

Why now, specifically?

First, entering May, numerous countries have been visiting China intensively—within just one week, leaders from the U.S. and Russia arrived in China in succession and signed a series of cooperation agreements.

Brazil also wants to consolidate its partnership with China. After all, growing U.S.-China collaboration somewhat squeezes space for Sino-Brazilian cooperation, particularly in the procurement of agricultural products such as soybeans.

Second, whether it's handling the Middle East issue or China’s recent hosting of a high-level meeting of the UN Security Council in New York, Brazil has come to realize that China’s comprehensive strength is no longer what it used to be.

To achieve more cooperation and further enhance Brazil’s own capabilities, reliance on China is essential.

Third, previously, the U.S. and Japan tried to rally Brazil, Australia, and others into a new mineral alliance, but achieved little progress.

Brazil understands that to further reduce supply chain costs, it still must rely on China. Not to mention that the Strait of Hormuz remains not fully open, placing Brazil under certain pressures.

What might they discuss during the visit?

First, the bilateral relationship between China and Brazil. Undoubtedly, in recent years, relations between China and Brazil have developed rapidly, and cooperation is already underway.

In the first quarter, bilateral trade volume reached $41.8 billion, up 8.1% year-on-year. Brazil’s exports to China mainly consist of soybeans, accounting for about one-third, with export value in 2025 expected to reach approximately $33 billion. Next come crude oil, iron ore, beef, and other products.

Meanwhile, China exports machinery and electrical products, new energy vehicles, and chemical goods to Brazil.

During the first four months of this year, China accounted for 47.7% of Brazil’s auto imports—around 80,100 vehicles—up 81.6% year-on-year.

Clearly, cooperation between the two sides is going very smoothly. Therefore, Brazil hopes to further solidify the China-Brazil relationship and lay a stronger foundation for future collaboration.

Second, international hotspots in the Middle East and other regions. This is another topic Brazil will discuss with China, as Brazil recognizes China’s influence and voice on the global stage and seeks to align with China in handling more international affairs, thereby enhancing Brazil’s own global influence.

After all, the Lula government also needs external support to further consolidate its governance.

In summary: With many countries visiting China in quick succession, Brazil can’t stay idle. To secure deeper cooperation with China, Brazil has chosen to send a delegation to Beijing. Thus, we hope this visit proceeds smoothly and contributes positively to Sino-Brazilian cooperation.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866434520998924/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.