Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.

Lula victory revives EU trade hopes for Latin America

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Nov 2022 19:28
3 Min Read

Lula hopes to quickly reach a trade agreement with the EU, but Brussels needs environmental commitments first.

  • x
  • Lula victory revives EU trade hopes for Latin America.
    New President of Brazil, Lula da Silva

As the EU exhaled a diplomatic sigh of relief over the victory of left-winger Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva in the second round of Brazil's presidential election, center-left European lawmaker Kathleen Van Brempt captured the mood in Brussels on Monday. “This is the result we were all hoping for.”

Brussels has lofty goals for the region. The trade flows of the European Union must be diversified away from those with Russia and, to a lesser extent, with China. The EU is eager to rekindle its relations with Brazil on climate change, deforestation, and trade as incumbent far-right Jair Bolsonaro prepares to leave office.

“I look forward to working with you to address pressing global challenges, from food security to trade and climate change,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted to Lula on Monday morning.

Congratulations, @LulaOficial, on your election as President of Brazil.

I look forward to working with you to address pressing global challenges, from food security to trade and climate change.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 31, 2022

However, Brussels might have to wait in line. Particularly now that relations between Beijing and Brasilia have deteriorated under Bolsonaro, Russia wants to trade and China will also be vying for influence in the region.

Read next: Lula 'threatens US interests', Bolsonaro pleading to Biden for 'help'

Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, expressed his country's desire to take its comprehensive strategic partnership with Brazil to a new level in response to Lula's victory on Monday.

Related News

EU unveils rare earths plan in attempt to cut dependence on China

Taipei turns to MAGA influencers ahead of Trump-Xi talks

To finally tie up the loose ends with the trade agreement between the EU and the Latin American Mercosur bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, would be the most practical way for the EU to get its foot in the door.

In addition to facilitating trade between the economies on both sides of the Atlantic, closer cooperation is essential for Brussels to rely less on China for its raw materials as it makes the transition to a greener economy.

The Mercosur pact was officially signed in 2019 but has since been put on hold, largely due to Bolsonaro's rabid destruction of Brazil's Amazon rainforest, which infuriated the EU.

Read next: Maduro and Lula tackled resumption of cooperation

The leadership of the European Union congratulated Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on his presidential election win Monday and expressed hopes of closer cooperation on trade and climate change.

"I look forward to working with you to address pressing global challenges, from food security to trade and climate change," Ursula von der Leyen told Lula, in a congratulatory tweet.

Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, which represents the governments of EU member states, said Brazilian voters had chosen a change from the recent past.

"The EU is committed to cooperate on global challenges: peace and stability, prosperity, climate change. And we'll work with the whole region," Michel tweeted.

Congratulations to president elect @LulaOficial

Brazilians have chosen for change.

EU is committed to cooperate on global challenges: peace & stability, prosperity, climate change.
And we’ll work with the whole region.

I look forward to congratulating you in person soon.

— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) October 31, 2022
  • Beijing
  • Brazil
  • Brussels
  • Latin America
  • European Union

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
The Mann beach lighthouse stands next to Naufragio Bay in San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, May 2, 2020. (AP)
Politics

Ecuador's Noboa considering hosting foreign military bases

Inside Rubio's push for government change in Venezuela: DropSite
Politics

Inside Rubio's push for government change in Venezuela: Drop Site

Maduro rejects US accusations, highlights ties with Colombia
Politics

Maduro rejects US accusations, highlights ties with Colombia

Pentagon accepts $130M anonymous donation during shutdown
Politics

Pentagon accepts $130 mln anonymous donation during shutdown

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS