MANILA, Philippines -- Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva wants a stronger partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to sustain his country's economic growth as he invited the region's leaders to visit Brazil next year to further enhance relations.
Lula on Sunday attended the opening of the 49th Asean Summit and Related Summits in Manila upon the invitation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his capacity as Asean chairman this year.
The Brazilian leader said he invited President Marcos to visit Brazil next year. Brasília and Manila celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations this year.
In a press conference, Lula said Brazil "learned an important lesson after the US imposed tariffs" on some of its trade partners.
Announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, a 25 percent tariff on most Brazilian imports took effect last July 22.
Speaking in Portuguese but with English translation, Lula said Brazil "decided to look for other partners" after the imposition of the US tariffs."
"We want to partner with Asean so that we cannot depend on just one country," Lula said.
The Philippines "has a very strong partnership" with Brazil in defense and agriculture sectors, he added.
"In my meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I reaffirmed our willingness to expand dialogue, trade, and investments between the two countries," Lula said in social media.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Lula said it was "a great satisfaction to participate, for the second time, in a Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations."
"The motto 'Sailing the Future Together,' chosen by the Philippine presidency, translates the greatest need of our time: to strengthen cooperation," Lula wrote.
He said his visit to Manila opened "new paths to strengthen Brazil's presence in Asia, expand trade, attract investments, and advance cooperation in science, technology, and sustainable development. An approach that can generate more jobs, opportunities, and development for our peoples."
"The feeling of unity known as 'BRAZILIPINES' was present in every moment of this visit," the Brazilian president said.
"Brazil and the Philippines take a new step in an 80-year-old friendship. Our historic visit opens a new era of cooperation, dialogue, and partnership between the two countries," Lula said.
"We are geographically distant, but united by the desire for development, social justice, and better living conditions for our people," he added.
