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Brazil's Lula to discuss tariffs with Trump in Washington, minister says

FILE PHOTO: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the opening ceremony of the Brazil pavilion at the Hannover Messe, in Hanover, Germany, April 20, 2026. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the opening ceremony of the Brazil pavilion at the Hannover Messe, in Hanover, Germany, April 20, 2026. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo Reuters

SAO PAULO - Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva plans to discuss tariffs and cooperation in fighting organized crime at a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday, Brazilian Finance Minister Dario Durigan said.

"We are preparing to engage with Trump in a constructive manner," Durigan told state broadcaster EBC on Wednesday. "I'm very optimistic about this conversation."

• Trump last year imposed steep tariffs on U.S. imports of Brazilian goods, but later revoked most of them

• The U.S. also launched in 2025 a probe to examine a wide range of Brazilian policies, including the highly popular instant payment system Pix, ethanol market access and illegal deforestation

• Durigan said Brazil stands ready to address any doubts the Trump administration might have about Pix and deforestation rates

• "We need to push back against any undue lobbying that may exist regarding Pix," the minister said

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Louise Heavens and Paul Simao)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 8:45 AM.

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