French President Emmanuel Macron met with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during a trip from Tuesday to Thursday (26-28 March) to discuss the war in Ukraine, investment and decarbonisation.
This Brazilian moment comes after a four-year eclipse and a virtual freeze in political relations between our two countries during [Jair] Bolsonaro’s presidency.
Brazil is due to host the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro this autumn and the COP30 climate summit in Belém in 2025. Although economic and trade issues are on the agenda, the EU-Mercosur agreement would not be included in the discussions, the Elysée announced, explaining that the issue was being discussed between the EU and Brazil and that it was not intended to be addressed at a bilateral meeting.
While Brazil stated it was ready to sign the agreement, France remained the only European country opposed to the trade deal, arguing that it wanted to protect its own farmers just months before June’s EU elections.
Macron planned to discuss international crises with his counterpart, including the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war in order to to “seek points of convergence” to end both conflicts. Brazil favours an early end to the war between Ukraine and Russia and has proposed a peace plan, causing concern among Europeans who see such a stance as a potential outcome in Moscow’s favour.
Lula sparked controversy on 18 February while speaking to the press from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he was attending an African Union summit. He accused Israel of committing “genocide” of Palestinians in Gaza.
Brazil and France are among the countries with the “most decarbonised” energy mix: France due to “nuclear power“, Brazil for “biofuels.” The two leaders are expected to define a common course for the next two years to protect the environment.
Brazil is home to some very large, major industrial groups. Brazilian investment in France is currently too low.
As part of the co-operation, the two presidents will inaugurate Brazil’s first Pasteur Institute branch in São Paulo. On that occasion, they would announce an “extremely strong health package” in terms of France’s commitment to Brazil and Latin America, the Elysée stated.
