SAO PAULO, May 6 - Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is set to take up trade measures and law-enforcement cooperation with U.S. President Donald Trump at a Washington meeting on Thursday, Brazilian Finance Minister Dario Durigan said.
Speaking to state broadcaster EBC on Wednesday, Durigan described the approach to the encounter as constructive. "We are preparing to engage with Trump in a constructive manner," he said, adding: "I’m very optimistic about this conversation."
The minister outlined the main topics likely to figure in talks between the two leaders, noting that trade frictions and mutual efforts to counter organized crime are on the agenda.
- Trump imposed steep tariffs on U.S. imports of Brazilian goods last year, but later revoked most of them.
- The U.S. in 2025 launched a probe into a broad set of Brazilian policies, including the instant payment system Pix, ethanol market access and illegal deforestation.
- Durigan said Brazil stands ready to address any doubts the Trump administration may have about Pix and deforestation rates.
On the issue of the payments system, Durigan indicated that Brazil intends to respond to queries and defend Pix where necessary. "We need to push back against any undue lobbying that may exist regarding Pix," he said, signaling a willingness to confront criticism of the platform.
Durigan framed the engagement as an opportunity for direct discussion of issues that have drawn U.S. scrutiny. He emphasized Brazil's preparedness to clarify policy positions and to engage on points of concern raised by the U.S. probe.
The meeting will also cover efforts to tackle organized crime, according to Durigan, who linked law-enforcement cooperation to the broader bilateral agenda.
Durigan's public remarks underscore the Brazilian government's diplomatic posture ahead of the Washington talks: open to dialogue on trade and regulatory questions while prepared to rebut lobbying or misgivings on specific domestic policies.
Context provided by official statements in this report: The Finance Minister’s quoted comments describe Brazil’s intended approach to the talks and name the topics under U.S. scrutiny. The three specific policy areas the U.S. probe is examining are the instant payment system Pix, ethanol market access and illegal deforestation.