Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assured Celso Amorim, President Lula da Silva’s Special Foreign Policy Advisor, that China “firmly supports Brazil in defending its national sovereignty and dignity and opposes unwarranted external interference in Brazil’s internal affairs,” when the two spoke by telephone today. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry readout, Wang specified that China also extends its “firm support” to Brazil’s measures “safeguarding its own development rights and interests and resisting the bullying practice of abusive tariffs,” and to Brazil’s efforts to “consolidatee) solidarity and cooperation in the Global South through the BRICS mechanism and promoting the joint self-reliance of developing countries.”

In sum: “Using tariffs as a weapon to suppress other countries violates the UN Charter and undermines WTO rules. It is unpopular and unsustainable,” the Chinese Foreign Minister told his Brazilian friend and colleague. “As the largest developing countries in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, China and Brazil have always supported each other and closely cooperated, firmly safeguarding their respective legitimate interests and the common interests of the countries of the Global South.” The two also discussed the “Friends of Peace” initiative launched by them in May 2024, with the aim of helping foster the conditions for a lasting Russian-Ukrainian peace based on universal principles, and taking into account both nations’ interests.Both agreed that Chinese-Brazilian relations are based on trust, and their common commitment to “the building of a community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet… and defending global fairness and justice.”As for bilateral relations, Amorim is reported to have concurred that Brazil and China “enjoy a deep friendship, strong mutual trust and fruitful practical cooperation.” On the latter, Amorim reiterated Brazil’s interest in deepening their friendship in such areas as trade and finance.