Amid growing global trade tensions after US President Donald Trump imposed steep 50% tariffs, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the India-Brazil strategic partnership.

Agreement to Boost Cooperation

According to PM Modi’s office, “The two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, technology, energy, defence, agriculture, health and people-to-people ties.”

On X, PM Modi wrote, “Had a good conversation with President Lula. Thanked him for making my visit to Brazil memorable and meaningful. We are committed to deepening our Strategic Partnership, including in trade, energy, tech, defence, health and more. A strong, people-centric partnership between Global South nations benefits everyone.”

Both leaders also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed to stay in touch.

Lula Seeks BRICS Response to US Tariffs

Earlier, President Lula spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping. The conversation was part of his push to coordinate a collective BRICS response to the US tariff hike.

Lula accused President Trump of trying to undermine global trade institutions. “What President Trump is doing is tacit — he wants to dismantle multilateralism, where agreements are made collectively within institutions, and replace it with unilateralism, where he negotiates one-on-one with other countries,” Lula said.

He added, “What bargaining power does a small Latin American country have against the United States? None.”

Both Countries Face Same Tariff Hike

India and Brazil are both subject to the same penalty — a 50% tariff from the US. For India, the hike is linked to its continued imports of Russian oil. For Brazil, it stems from political disputes and retaliatory trade measures.

Earlier this week, Lula vowed to respond firmly to the tariffs. He also promised to personally contact key world leaders, including PM Modi.

“I am not going to call Trump to negotiate anything, because he doesn’t want to talk. But rest assured, Marina, I will call Trump to invite him to the COP, because I want to know what he thinks about the climate issue. I will have the courtesy to call, I will call him, I will call Xi Jinping, I will call Prime Minister Modi, I will call,” Lula said.

He added that he would not call Russian President Vladimir Putin because Putin cannot travel. “But I will call many presidents,” he said.