Xi voices support for Brazil against external interference ahead of tense election

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed support for Brazil in opposing external interference during a phone call with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Monday, according to Chinese state media. The conversation comes less than three months before a closely contested presidential election in Brazil.

Xi told Lula that China highly values Brazil's international status and important influence, reported the state news agency Xinhua. Beijing supports Brazil in safeguarding its sovereignty and independence, opposing external interference, and contributing to regional and world peace and stability, Xi added.

The Brazilian presidency confirmed the call, stating that the two leaders agreed on the importance of accelerating negotiations for a trade agreement between Mercosur and China. Lula expressed commitment to diversifying markets and trade partners amid tariff pressure from the United States, Brazil's second-largest trading partner.

The US has imposed two rounds of tariffs on various Brazilian products this month, following major tariff hikes in 2025 as retaliation for a coup-plot trial that led to the imprisonment of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Lula has denounced the tariff pressure as an attempt to exert political influence in an election year.

In a related development, Brazil denied visas for two US officials who sought to meet election authorities in Brasilia ahead of October's vote, a diplomatic source told AFP on Saturday.

The election pits incumbent Lula against right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, son of the former president. Flavio Bolsonaro has renewed unsubstantiated claims about the insecurity of Brazil's voting system, while US President Donald Trump continues to make false claims about American elections.

The Brazilian statement on the call did not mention whether the issue of external interference was raised.