Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stressed the importance of free trade and multilateralism and condemned threats to democracy. During their meeting on Wednesday, the Brazilian President and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed to intensify relations in all areas.
The two leaders adopted an action plan for the next five years to boost cooperation in a wide range of areas, from security to the economy, trade and climate change. In his opening remarks at the talks, Lula said it was the perfect time to revitalize their strategic partnership at a time when democracy and multilateralism are under threat, protectionism is on the rise in many countries, and there is a “cold war” between the United States and China. Lula said it was crucial that Brazil and Japan reaffirm that democracy is the most important form of government and reassure the importance of multilateralism and free trade. “It is indispensable for Japan to cooperate as a partner with Brazil to lead the international community on a path of harmony in an era of deepening conflicts and divisions,” Ishiba said. Ishiba told a joint press conference after the talks that under the action plan, the two countries agreed to work together to strengthen peace and multilateralism and cooperate in security, defense and other areas. The 100-member Brazilian business delegation accompanying Lula held an economic forum with their Japanese counterparts earlier on Wednesday, and the two sides later agreed on 80 public and commercial projects under the action plan, which also promotes supply chain resilience and food security.
