Balance of Lula's visit to Asia

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President Lula greets United States President Donald Trump during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR)

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s international trip to Southeast Asia, from October 23 to 27, 2025, marked one of the government’s most significant diplomatic moves of the year. At a time of global slowdown and reconfiguration of blocs, Brazil sought to consolidate its presence in the Asia–Pacific axis, diversify its economic partners, and strengthen its image as a Global South leader. The agenda included official visits to Indonesia and Malaysia—two emerging hubs in technology, energy, and agribusiness and concluded with a private meeting with Donald Trump in Kuala Lumpur.

Indonesia — October 23, 2025

President Lula, accompanied by the President of Jakarta, Prabowo Subianto, during the signing of agreements at the Merdeka Palace. (Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR)

The state visit to Indonesia, the first by a Brazilian president in 17 years, was marked by concrete advances in technical and trade agreements. Several memorandums of understanding were signed in strategic areas: agriculture (sanitation and certification), energy and mining, science and technology, statistics, and trade promotion. The Brazil–Indonesia Business Forum saw strong participation from companies in both countries, especially in the food and biofuels sectors.

The joint communiqué elevated the dialogue to the level of a reinforced Strategic Partnership, reviving a high-level channel established in 2008 but largely unused since then. The emphasis was placed on diversifying the agenda, from agribusiness to technological innovation, and on mutual support in global issues such as international governance, sustainability, and poverty reduction.

Main agreements:

• Political consolidation of the Brazil–Indonesia Strategic Partnership.

• Technical opening for exports of beef and other agricultural products.

• Creation of an institutional base for cooperation in biofuels, artificial intelligence, and scientific research.

• Reinforcement of the South–South agenda and greater Brazilian presence in Southeast Asia.

  
  

The main risks lie in the slow execution of the agreements, many memorandums still need to translate into real trade flows, and in the dependence on the private sector to sustain the pace of partnerships.

Malaysia — October 25 to 27, 2025

President Lula during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, at the Government Palace (Perdana Putra). (Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR)

The visit to Kuala Lumpur consolidated the technological agenda of the trip. Lula and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signed memorandums on semiconductors and innovation, including partnerships between the MIMOS center and Brazilian institutions such as INPE and the Renato Archer Center. The gesture signals Brazil’s effort to enter a high-tech value chain, a central theme for the government’s industrial policy.

There were also advances in agricultural trade, with the review of sanitary certificates and approval for the export of fish and seafood products. Politically, Malaysia expressed support for Brazil’s presidency of the BRICS and the COP30 in Belém, while Brazil declared its backing for Malaysia’s entry into the group. The joint communiqué also addressed the environment, global governance reform, and support for the Palestinian cause, reflecting convergence on multilateral issues.

Main agreements:

• Inclusion of Brazil in discussions on semiconductors and advanced technology.

• Strengthening of environmental and climate cooperation, with Malaysian support for the Tropical Forests Forever Fund.

• Consolidation of Brazil’s image as a sustainable leader and bridge between emerging continents.

Pending points include the implementation of technological agreements, which require long-term funding and capacity building, and sensitive trade issues such as the antidumping measures on rubber gloves, which remain under technical negotiation.

Participation in the 47th ASEAN Summit — October 26, 2025

President Lula during the welcoming ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Meeting. (Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR)

On Sunday, Lula took part in the opening of the 47th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur. The first time a Brazilian head of state has participated in the event. The invitation was extended by Malaysia, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the bloc.

Although the president did not speak at the opening ceremony, he posted a message on social media highlighting the growth of trade relations between Brazil and the bloc:

“Being here reaffirms the importance of relations between Brazil and Southeast Asia. Trade between Brazil and ASEAN countries surpassed 37 billion dollars in 2024. The bloc is now Brazil’s fifth-largest trading partner and accounted for 20% of our trade surplus last year.”

Lula also emphasized that the invitation represents recognition of Brazil’s growing closeness with the region and its interest in deepening cooperation, trade, and development ties.

ASEAN is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, and this year, Timor-Leste officially joined as a new member, a symbolic event for Brazil given that it is a Portuguese-speaking nation.

Also in Kuala Lumpur, the president met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the ASEAN headquarters. Lula invited him to participate in the launch ceremony of the University of Sport, which will take place in Brazil later in 2025, and emphasized the importance of bringing sports closer to education and international diplomacy.

Meeting with Donald Trump — Kuala Lumpur, October 26, 2025

President Lula during a meeting with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, during the 47th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations - ASEAN. (Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR)

Lula also met with President Donald Trump to discuss revising US tariffs on Brazil, which affect strategic sectors of the economy. The meeting was described as “frank and constructive” and resulted in a commitment to begin immediate negotiations between the economic teams of both countries, with the expectation of a resolution within weeks.

The meeting had significant symbolic impact by reopening a direct channel between Brasília and Washington after months of trade tension and reinforcing Brazil’s image as a pragmatic actor capable of dialoguing with different governments.

However, the outcome still depends on U.S. political will and the progress of technical negotiations. There is also uncertainty about parallel issues, such as sanctions and the Magnitsky Act, which could influence the pace of discussions.

Overall balance

The mission to Southeast Asia and the meeting with Trump produced a broadly positive balance in diplomatic and strategic terms. Brazil consolidated ties with two dynamic emerging economies, entered frontier technology discussions, and projected its image as an environmental leader and articulator of the Global South.

From an economic standpoint, the short-term impact remains limited, since most of the agreements signed are cooperation memorandums that require gradual implementation. Even so, the trip strengthened Brazil’s international credibility, opened channels with relevant partners, and signaled an active, pragmatic, and diversified foreign policy.

References

Governo Federal. “Comunicado Conjunto - Progresso Da Parceria Estratégica Brasil–Indonésia.” Ministério Das Relações Exteriores, 2025, www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/canais_atendimento/imprensa/notas-a-imprensa/comunicado-conjunto-progresso-da-parceria-estrategica-brasil2013indonesia.

Presidência da República. ““Aproximação Entre Sudeste Asiático E Brasil, de Leste a Oeste, é Crucial Para a Defesa Do Multilateralismo”, Defende Lula Na Cúpula Da Ásia Do Leste.” Planalto, 2025, www.gov.br/planalto/pt-br/acompanhe-o-planalto/noticias/2025/10/201caproximacao-entre-sudeste-asiatico-e-brasil-de-leste-a-oeste-e-crucial-para-a-defesa-do-multilateralismo201d-defende-lula-na-cupula-da-asia-do-leste.

---. ““Estar Aqui é Reafirmar a Importância Das Relações Do Brasil Com O Sudeste Asiático”, Diz Lula Sobre Participação Na Cúpula Da ASEAN.” Planalto, 2025, www.gov.br/planalto/pt-br/acompanhe-o-planalto/noticias/2025/10/201cestar-aqui-e-reafirmar-a-importancia-das-relacoes-do-brasil-com-o-sudeste-asiatico201d-diz-lula-sobre-participacao-na-cupula-da-asean.

---. “Em Fórum Empresarial, Lula Ressalta Potenciais Econômicos Do Brasil E Protagonismo Na Transição Energética.” Planalto, 2025, www.gov.br/planalto/pt-br/acompanhe-o-planalto/noticias/2025/10/em-forum-empresarial-lula-ressalta-potencial-de-minerios-criticos-na-transicao-energetica.

---. “Em Visita de Estado, Lula Exalta Potencial de Crescimento Do Comércio Com a Indonésia.” Planalto, 2025, www.gov.br/planalto/pt-br/acompanhe-o-planalto/noticias/2025/10/em-visita-de-estado-lula-exalta-potencial-de-crescimento-do-comercio-com-a-indonesia.

---. “Lula E Trump Se Reúnem Na Malásia E Avançam Em Negociação Sobre Tarifas Impostas a Produtos Brasileiros.” Planalto, 2025, www.gov.br/planalto/pt-br/acompanhe-o-planalto/noticias/2025/10/lula-e-trump-se-reunem-na-malasia-e-avancam-em-negociacao-sobre-tarifas-impostas-a-produtos-brasileiros.