"Polar-opposite leaders" Trump and Lula meet at the White House in bid to ease tariff tensions

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\r\n[Financial News] U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held their first summit at the White House. The two leaders, who have long stood at opposite ends of the political spectrum and foreign policy, appear to be moving to repair ties through talks on trade and tariffs.
In a post on Truth Social on the 7th local time, Trump said he had "just finished a meeting with a very dynamic president of Brazil" and added that they discussed a range of issues, including trade and tariffs, and that "the meeting went very well."
He added that "delegations from both countries will continue discussing key issues" and that "if necessary, another meeting could be held within months."
The summit drew attention because it brought together two leaders often described as political opposites. Trump represents the U.S. conservative and right-wing camp, while Lula is regarded as a symbolic figure of the Latin American left.
Their tensions peaked last year over tariff issues. Trump imposed a total 50% tariff on imports from Brazil, consisting of a 10% base tariff plus an additional 40%, before later withdrawing it.
At the time, Trump criticized the Brazilian government, citing the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing ally of his, on charges of plotting a coup. Lula responded by denouncing it as interference in Brazil's internal affairs and publicly criticizing Trump.
In February, Lula also criticized Trump, saying that he was acting "as if he wanted to become emperor of the world."
Still, both sides have recently shown signs of improving relations. After a phone call with Lula late last year, Trump said, "I like Lula. We had a very good conversation."
The summit was initially expected to be partially open to reporters, but it was ultimately held behind closed doors. The move was seen as unusual, given that Trump often livestreams the opening of meetings with foreign leaders and takes questions from reporters for an extended period.
Some observers suggested that Lula's side may have requested the closed-door format out of concern over off-the-cuff remarks or a public clash.
Lula's visit to the United States was agreed upon during a phone call between the two leaders earlier this year. It had originally been scheduled for March, but was postponed amid the United States–Iran war and other factors.
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km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter