Biden and Lula show unity on democracy and climate change

The president of USA, Joe Bidenheld talks at the White House on Friday with the leftist president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvain a restart of relations between the two countries after the end of the stormy Government of Jair Bolsonaroan ally of Donald Trump.

The two leaders opened their meeting in the Oval Office late in the afternoon by speaking to the press about their shared values ​​in fighting climate change and protecting democracy from the rise of authoritarianism.

“We have to continue defending democracy and our democratic values, which form the core of our strength”Biden told Lula before a private session between the leaders, adding that the two were in the “same page” on “climate crisis”.

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Relations between the two largest democracies in the hemisphere cooled under Lula’s far-right predecessor.

Brazil “he was self-marginalized for four years” under the former president, Lula said at the White House, without mentioning Bolsonaro by name.

His world, Lula said, had “started and ended with fake news in the morning, in the afternoon, at night”prompting Biden to laugh and point out: “Sounds familiar”.

Lula said that Brazil was trying to reposition itself in the world, and that both countries should never again allow the kind of attacks like the one against Bolsonaro supporters last month or the one echoed: the January 6, 2021 riot. at the United States Capitol to prevent the certification of Biden’s 2020 victory over former President Trump.

Lula also said that the two leaders could also work together to combat inequality and climate change.

Biden and Lula are not expected to agree on the war in Ukraine, given Brazil’s neutrality. Lula wants to see a peace negotiation with the participation of more neutral global actors.

Lula defended his decision not to provide German-made artillery ammunition requested by the West to support the Ukrainian defense. “If I sent the ammunition, I would be joining the war. I don’t want to join the war. I want peace.” he said earlier on CNN.

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Lula’s visit to the White House came after a meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders and Democratic parliamentarians.

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The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said that support for democracy, human rights and the environment would be at the center of Lula’s agenda in Washington.

Brazil wants more countries to contribute to the $1 billion Amazon Fund created by Germany and Norway to finance rainforest conservation and sustainable development.

The Biden government is studying the possibility of joining this $1.3 billion fund, two US officials confirmed to Reuters.

A US contribution to the Brazilian-administered fund would highlight the restoration of ties between the two countries after the recent period of cooling relations.

Lula traveled to Washington with Environment Minister Marina Silva and is expected to meet Biden’s climate envoy John Kerry. The ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Racial Equality are also part of the delegation.

Brazil this week reinforced its commitment to protect the Amazon rainforest by launching an operation against illegal gold miners who have devastated the Yanomami indigenous reserve in northern Brazil.

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Lula’s predecessor relaxed environmental protections, encouraging mining and logging in the Amazon and allowing deforestation in the region to reach its highest level in 15 years.

At the White House, Lula said that the Amazon jungle had been “invaded” under the previous administration, adding that it committed to achieving zero deforestation by 2030.

Source: Reuters