"Brazil was in dire need of change, and Lula delivered that change when he was elected president in October 2022. Understandably, U.S. president Joe Biden embraced the newly elected Lula as Brazil’s anti-Trump, believing him to be a more reliable strategic partner.

However, the question remains: is Lula truly a dependable ally? The two presidents may align on climate change; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and a commitment to nipping the forces of right-wing populism in the bud. But when it comes to the great power competition in the region, Lula is not a friend. He is the proverbial cure that kills the patient.

Since taking office in January, Lula,...has articulated a foreign policy that corresponds with the visions of China, Russia, and other authoritarians—a multipolar world aimed at challenging American dominance.
....
The discrepancy between Biden’s friendliness and Lula’s commitment to policies antithetical to U.S. interests emerged as early as the two leaders’ first meeting in Washington this past February, barely weeks after Lula was sworn in.

In their joint statement, Biden and Lula “underscored that strengthening democracy, promoting respect for human rights, and addressing the climate crisis remains at the center of their common agenda.” They identified areas of mutual concern and promised cooperation that included “social inclusion and labor rights, gender equality, racial equity and justice, and the protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ persons,” fighting hate speech and disinformation, and empowering “marginalized racial, ethnic and indigenous communities.”

However, Lula is at odds with Washington on China. He views China as a check on American power. He believes that a multipolar world is a good thing. It’s not just about trade: it’s about eroding America’s leverage.

Shortly after meeting Biden, Lula traveled to China along with a large business delegation to deepen commercial ties with Beijing (during his Washington visit, no trade delegation accompanied him). The trip yielded multi-billion-dollar agreements in strategic areas, including cyber and semiconductor technology. Lula was explicit that it was his intention to expand Chinese investment in sensitive areas: during his visit to a Huawei factory, he described it as “a demonstration that we want to tell the world we don’t have prejudices in our relations with the Chinese.”"

https://nationalinterest.org/feature/america%E2%80%99s-power-competition-goes-awry-lula%E2%80%99s-brazil-206536

On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 10:53:25 AM UTC-4, ltlee1 wrote:
> "Brazil was in dire need of change, and Lula delivered that change when he was elected president in October 2022. Understandably, U.S. president Joe Biden embraced the newly elected Lula as Brazil’s anti-Trump, believing him to be a more reliable strategic partner.
>
> However, the question remains: is Lula truly a dependable ally? The two presidents may align on climate change; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and a commitment to nipping the forces of right-wing populism in the bud. But when it comes to the great power competition in the region, Lula is not a friend. He is the proverbial cure that kills the patient.
>
> Since taking office in January, Lula,...has articulated a foreign policy that corresponds with the visions of China, Russia, and other authoritarians—a multipolar world aimed at challenging American dominance.
> ...
> The discrepancy between Biden’s friendliness and Lula’s commitment to policies antithetical to U.S. interests emerged as early as the two leaders’ first meeting in Washington this past February, barely weeks after Lula was sworn in.
>
> In their joint statement, Biden and Lula “underscored that strengthening democracy, promoting respect for human rights, and addressing the climate crisis remains at the center of their common agenda.” They identified areas of mutual concern and promised cooperation that included “social inclusion and labor rights, gender equality, racial equity and justice, and the protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ persons,” fighting hate speech and disinformation, and empowering “marginalized racial, ethnic and indigenous communities.”
>
> However, Lula is at odds with Washington on China. He views China as a check on American power. He believes that a multipolar world is a good thing. It’s not just about trade: it’s about eroding America’s leverage.
>
> Shortly after meeting Biden, Lula traveled to China along with a large business delegation to deepen commercial ties with Beijing (during his Washington visit, no trade delegation accompanied him). The trip yielded multi-billion-dollar agreements in strategic areas, including cyber and semiconductor technology. Lula was explicit that it was his intention to expand Chinese investment in sensitive areas: during his visit to a Huawei factory, he described it as “a demonstration that we want to tell the world we don’t have prejudices in our relations with the Chinese.”"
>
> https://nationalinterest.org/feature/america%E2%80%99s-power-competition-goes-awry-lula%E2%80%99s-brazil-206536

It is odd that the article kind of depict Lula negatively. He is supposedly at odd with the US and wants to erode America leverage.
The current world order is a Westphalian one. With large number small and weak nations, large and strong nations with leverage
is always needed. In addition, the long run sustainability of such world order is highly uncertain. Would it end up like Europe of WWI
and WWII?

IMO, Lula being at odd with the US over China, reflects his lack of confident about the US. To be sure, the US could still buy the
favor of other nations like Israel and Singapore with, relatively speaking, chump change or playing off Japan against China. But
with its broken political system and weakening economic power, it is less and less capable to resolve world events fairly. To the
extent that American citizens don't trust the US government, other nations have even less reason to trust the US government.

Brazil is looking for a stability insurance policy in case the US does get itself into deep trouble. Not a matter of choosing China
over the US.

On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 1:37:03 AM UTC+8, ltlee1 wrote:
> On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 10:53:25 AM UTC-4, ltlee1 wrote:
> > "Brazil was in dire need of change, and Lula delivered that change when he was elected president in October 2022. Understandably, U.S. president Joe Biden embraced the newly elected Lula as Brazil’s anti-Trump, believing him to be a more reliable strategic partner.
> >
> > However, the question remains: is Lula truly a dependable ally? The two presidents may align on climate change; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and a commitment to nipping the forces of right-wing populism in the bud. But when it comes to the great power competition in the region, Lula is not a friend. He is the proverbial cure that kills the patient.
> >
> > Since taking office in January, Lula,...has articulated a foreign policy that corresponds with the visions of China, Russia, and other authoritarians—a multipolar world aimed at challenging American dominance.
> > ...
> > The discrepancy between Biden’s friendliness and Lula’s commitment to policies antithetical to U.S. interests emerged as early as the two leaders’ first meeting in Washington this past February, barely weeks after Lula was sworn in.
> >
> > In their joint statement, Biden and Lula “underscored that strengthening democracy, promoting respect for human rights, and addressing the climate crisis remains at the center of their common agenda.” They identified areas of mutual concern and promised cooperation that included “social inclusion and labor rights, gender equality, racial equity and justice, and the protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ persons,” fighting hate speech and disinformation, and empowering “marginalized racial, ethnic and indigenous communities.”
> >
> > However, Lula is at odds with Washington on China. He views China as a check on American power. He believes that a multipolar world is a good thing. It’s not just about trade: it’s about eroding America’s leverage.
> >
> > Shortly after meeting Biden, Lula traveled to China along with a large business delegation to deepen commercial ties with Beijing (during his Washington visit, no trade delegation accompanied him). The trip yielded multi-billion-dollar agreements in strategic areas, including cyber and semiconductor technology. Lula was explicit that it was his intention to expand Chinese investment in sensitive areas: during his visit to a Huawei factory, he described it as “a demonstration that we want to tell the world we don’t have prejudices in our relations with the Chinese.”"
> >
> > https://nationalinterest.org/feature/america%E2%80%99s-power-competition-goes-awry-lula%E2%80%99s-brazil-206536
> It is odd that the article kind of depict Lula negatively. He is supposedly at odd with the US and wants to erode America leverage.
> The current world order is a Westphalian one. With large number small and weak nations, large and strong nations with leverage
> is always needed. In addition, the long run sustainability of such world order is highly uncertain. Would it end up like Europe of WWI
> and WWII?
>
> IMO, Lula being at odd with the US over China, reflects his lack of confident about the US. To be sure, the US could still buy the
> favor of other nations like Israel and Singapore with, relatively speaking, chump change or playing off Japan against China. But
> with its broken political system and weakening economic power, it is less and less capable to resolve world events fairly. To the
> extent that American citizens don't trust the US government, other nations have even less reason to trust the US government.
>
> Brazil is looking for a stability insurance policy in case the US does get itself into deep trouble. Not a matter of choosing China
> over the US.

Brazil is one of the many South American countries who doesn't want to get entrap by US abusive power to cut of the swift payment system to Russia and hence will and can happen to other countries too at anytime. Therefore the best is to have another payment system and another BRIC currency to meet their needs for it.

On Monday, June 19, 2023 at 10:20:22 AM UTC-4, stoney wrote:
> On Friday, June 16, 2023 at 1:37:03 AM UTC+8, ltlee1 wrote:
> > On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 10:53:25 AM UTC-4, ltlee1 wrote:
> > > "Brazil was in dire need of change, and Lula delivered that change when he was elected president in October 2022. Understandably, U.S. president Joe Biden embraced the newly elected Lula as Brazil’s anti-Trump, believing him to be a more reliable strategic partner.
> > >
> > > However, the question remains: is Lula truly a dependable ally? The two presidents may align on climate change; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and a commitment to nipping the forces of right-wing populism in the bud. But when it comes to the great power competition in the region, Lula is not a friend. He is the proverbial cure that kills the patient.
> > >
> > > Since taking office in January, Lula,...has articulated a foreign policy that corresponds with the visions of China, Russia, and other authoritarians—a multipolar world aimed at challenging American dominance.
> > > ...
> > > The discrepancy between Biden’s friendliness and Lula’s commitment to policies antithetical to U.S. interests emerged as early as the two leaders’ first meeting in Washington this past February, barely weeks after Lula was sworn in.
> > >
> > > In their joint statement, Biden and Lula “underscored that strengthening democracy, promoting respect for human rights, and addressing the climate crisis remains at the center of their common agenda.” They identified areas of mutual concern and promised cooperation that included “social inclusion and labor rights, gender equality, racial equity and justice, and the protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ persons,” fighting hate speech and disinformation, and empowering “marginalized racial, ethnic and indigenous communities.”
> > >
> > > However, Lula is at odds with Washington on China. He views China as a check on American power. He believes that a multipolar world is a good thing. It’s not just about trade: it’s about eroding America’s leverage.
> > >
> > > Shortly after meeting Biden, Lula traveled to China along with a large business delegation to deepen commercial ties with Beijing (during his Washington visit, no trade delegation accompanied him). The trip yielded multi-billion-dollar agreements in strategic areas, including cyber and semiconductor technology. Lula was explicit that it was his intention to expand Chinese investment in sensitive areas: during his visit to a Huawei factory, he described it as “a demonstration that we want to tell the world we don’t have prejudices in our relations with the Chinese.”"
> > >
> > > https://nationalinterest.org/feature/america%E2%80%99s-power-competition-goes-awry-lula%E2%80%99s-brazil-206536
> > It is odd that the article kind of depict Lula negatively. He is supposedly at odd with the US and wants to erode America leverage.
> > The current world order is a Westphalian one. With large number small and weak nations, large and strong nations with leverage
> > is always needed. In addition, the long run sustainability of such world order is highly uncertain. Would it end up like Europe of WWI
> > and WWII?
> >
> > IMO, Lula being at odd with the US over China, reflects his lack of confident about the US. To be sure, the US could still buy the
> > favor of other nations like Israel and Singapore with, relatively speaking, chump change or playing off Japan against China. But
> > with its broken political system and weakening economic power, it is less and less capable to resolve world events fairly. To the
> > extent that American citizens don't trust the US government, other nations have even less reason to trust the US government.
> >
> > Brazil is looking for a stability insurance policy in case the US does get itself into deep trouble. Not a matter of choosing China
> > over the US.
> Brazil is one of the many South American countries who doesn't want to get entrap by US abusive power to cut of the swift payment system to Russia and hence will and can happen to other countries too at anytime. Therefore the best is to have another payment system and another BRIC currency to meet their needs for it.

Brazil has no nuclear weapon. The US could physically block/confiscate Brazil export IF chooses to.