Lula and Trump exchange greetings and speak briefly at a G7 social event in France
G7 leaders declare unwavering support for Ukraine
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and United States President Donald Trump interacted on two occasions this Tuesday (16) during engagements at the G7 summit, in Évian-les-Bains, France.
During a social event hosted by the host, French President Emmanuel Macron, Lula and Trump greeted each other and chatted briefly.
According to Lula's aides, the two did not talk about the latest US offensives against Brazil and the conversation lasted from one to two minutes.
Also according to interlocutors, Lula and Trump greeted each other after a musical performance organized by Macron for heads of state and government and G7 guests at the hotel where the summit is taking place (read more below).
Lula and Trump speak briefly at the G7
After the concert, the guests went to dinner in the same place.
Sources claim that the two had already greeted each other before that, after Lula's speech at the expanded G7 meeting.
Trump and the PT member crossed paths in the corridor of the hotel where the summit is taking place and, upon meeting Lula, Trump said to the Brazilian president: "How are you?" and "Good job", which means "How are you?" and "Good job", in Portuguese.
Lula did not have an interpreter nearby at this time and just nodded.
Lula and Trump posed on two occasions for official G7 photos. On the first occasion, after registration, there was no interaction between them.
The G7 is a group of the world's main rich economies that meets to discuss global issues, such as the economy, war, climate and security. It is a political forum (it does not make mandatory decisions, but it has a lot of influence).
The group comprises the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan - in addition to the European Union, which participates in the meetings. Brazil is not a member of the G7, but can be invited to meetings, as happened with Lula at the current summit.
At the White House, Lula and Donald Trump discuss rare earths, organized crime and trade
Jornal Nacional/ Reproduction
Bilateral
Aides claim that the interactions were informal and there was no bilateral meeting between Lula and Trump during the G7. Negotiations, therefore, continue only at ministerial level.
Brazil has been trying to negotiate the removal of tariffs since last year, when Trump announced the first import taxes on Brazilian products.
There was a breakthrough in November 2025, when the White House decided to eliminate the 40% tariff applied to several items exported by the country.
Now, Brazil is working to prevent a new US offensive against Brazilian products that could increase the total load to 37.5%, if the measures are implemented.
In the government, the assessment is that:
the proposal for an additional tariff of 25%, justified by Washington based on supposed commercial practices unfair, can still be reversed through negotiation.
The 12.5% surcharge, linked to the allegation of lack of sufficient action against forced labor, is seen by members of the Brazilian team as a practically consolidated decision.
Trump and Lula once again posed for a photo before a gala dinner during the G7 in France
LUDOVIC MARIN/Pool via Reuters
Source: G1