BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday emphasized the growing strategic partnership between China and Brazil, suggesting that the two nations could serve as a model of unity and self-reliance for the Global South. In a phone conversation with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Xi called for stronger cooperation and a united stand against unilateralism and protectionism, in what many observers view as a veiled criticism of U.S. trade policies, particularly those under former President Donald Trump.
According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, Xi said China is prepared to work closely with Brazil to promote a fairer global order and advance sustainable development.
“China will work with Brazil to set an example of unity and self-reliance among major countries in the Global South,” Xi stated. “All countries should unite and firmly oppose unilateralism and protectionism.”
Both Xi and Lula have positioned their countries as defenders of multilateralism, favoring a global trading system based on cooperation rather than economic isolationism. Their remarks come amid renewed tensions over trade and tariffs, especially as Washington pursues tougher trade measures.
Shared Vision and Expanded Cooperation
A statement from the Brazilian presidency confirmed that the phone call lasted about an hour and covered a wide array of global and bilateral issues. The leaders discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, the climate crisis, and their shared commitment to multilateral forums such as the G20 and BRICS, highlighting their role in promoting global cooperation.
“Both agreed on the role of the G20 and BRICS in defending multilateralism,” the statement noted.
Additionally, Lula and Xi pledged to deepen collaboration in key sectors including healthcare, oil and gas, the digital economy, and satellite technology — areas both nations consider vital for future development.
The phone call follows Lula’s recent announcement that he intends to speak with leaders from India and China to coordinate a response to U.S. tariff increases, a move that underscores a growing desire among Global South nations to assert greater economic independence and challenge Western-dominated trade structures.
Xi’s remarks add weight to China’s broader strategy of strengthening South-South cooperation, positioning itself alongside emerging economies like Brazil in pushing back against Western trade dominance and promoting alternative leadership in global affairs.
