Amid escalating trade tensions with the U.S., Brazilian President Lula da Silva champions a BRICS trade currency to reduce reliance on the dollar. Despite Trump's tariff threats and refusal to engage directly,

Lula and Xi discuss BRICS unity, expand Brazil-China trade, and vow cooperation against tariff pressures from the US.

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after a signing ceremony and a joint press conference, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 13,

On Monday, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which lasted an hour and revolved around the role of BRICS in the changing global order and their trade relations over the next few years.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has spoken by phone with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for about an hour, in a high-level contact aimed at reinforcing ties with Brazil’s largest trading partner while confronting a sudden rupture in trade relations with the United States.

The call comes days after the U.S. slapped a 50% tariff rate on Brazilian goods, citing trade barriers and the judicial treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro.