U.S. Tariffs Bring Brazil and China Closer Together

A May 2025 file image of Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Beijing. (Photo by TINGSHU WANG / POOL / AFP)

As Brazil stares down the barrel of 50% tariffs on its exports to the United States, China signaled a willingness to expand ties. On Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun was asked by a Brazilian journalist to respond to the Trump administration’s threat of tariffs and its signal to the wider region. In addition to the usual phrasing that “tariff wars have no winners,” Guo added:

“China stands ready to work with Brazil, and other Latin American and Caribbean countries and BRICS countries to jointly uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading system and international fairness and justice.”

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.