The time is ripe for a Brazil-China rapprochement

Though his trip will be briefly delayed after being diagnosed with mild pneumonia, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will travel to China this Sunday at what is a critical time for both countries, as they continue to grapple with the economic fallout from the Covid pandemic and the climate crisis in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape.

After Argentina, Uruguay, and the U.S., China will be Lula’s fourth international destination since his January 1 inauguration. But this state visit seems to carry more weight: congressional leaders, several key ministers, state governors, and some 240 businesspeople will accompany the president in Beijing and Shanghai. 

It is almost a conclave; a retreat for some of Brazil’s most influential politicians and market players. All these stakeholders in one place would be significant enough, but they will be meeting with Chinese counterparts, demonstrating how important the China-Brazil relationship has become.

Indeed, the time is ripe for deepening bilateral ties, especially after four years of estrangement under Jair Bolsonaro. This visit can help set the table for greater trade and cooperation in many strategic areas, such as the economy, trade, technology, climate change, and the war in Europe.

For different reasons, both Brazil and China are facing economic difficulties and both governments want to boost their economies. Brazil wants Chinese investment and consumers. China seeks markets, greater domestic consumption, and a way to bypass (or at least mitigate the effects of) U.S. tech sanctions. Increasing bilateral trade could certainly help...