Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva gave a positive assessment of his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday.
Lula said he was satisfied with his meeting with Trump. "For me, there are no off-limits topics. The only things that are not up for debate are our democracy and our sovereignty. Everything else is negotiable," he said.
Lula said that Trump had assured him he had no intention of invading Cuba, adding that this was what his interpreter conveyed to him. Lula interpreted this as a "great sign," since Cuba had opened itself up to dialogue. "Cuba wants to talk, and Cuba wants to find a solution to end the blockade," the Brazilian leader added.
Trump also said that the three-hour meeting went "very well."
On his platform Truth Social, Trump wrote that they had discussed topics including trade and tariffs. Representatives from both countries are now meant to hold further talks on key issues.
"Additional meetings will be scheduled over the coming months, as necessary," Trump wrote.
Relations between Trump and Lula have improved recently after earlier tensions linked to the prosecution of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, an ally of Trump.
Brazil's Supreme Court sentenced Bolsonaro to more than 27 years in prison over an alleged coup attempt following his election defeat to Lula. Trump criticized the case as politically motivated and responded at the time by imposing 50% tariffs on a range of Brazilian goods.
In late November, the US rolled back tariffs on several Brazilian food exports, including beef, coffee and various fruits.
