Lula, Putin discuss stronger Brazil-Russia ties in phone call
The two leaders reaffirmed their determination to further strengthen their countries' strategic partnership and coordination within BRICS, according to the Kremlin. Putin initiated the call, which included a discussion of his talks with the US on Ukraine and Brazil-Russia cooperation, Lula's office said in a statement.
Brazil has become a target of Donald Trump's trade war after the US president imposed higher tariffs in an effort to end the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro on charges that he attempted a coup.
Brazil has responded by seeking to expand trade with other partners, including China, India and Southeast Asia.
Lula has said Brazil won't target the US with reciprocal tariffs in response to the 50 percent trade levy Trump placed on its goods, but will gauge interest for a joint response among its BRICS partners.
Lula and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke Thursday and both reinforced the goal of expanding bilateral trade to more than $20 billion by 2030.
While Brazil's oil producers gained relief from Trump's tariffs, concern has emerged over the country's dependence on Russian diesel after Trump slapped an extra tariff on India for buying Russian energy.
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