Lula Rejects “World Policeman” Role for US, Praises China as Global Development Model

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed on Wednesday his country’s desire for an equal and sovereign partnership with the United States, not one dominated by a “world policeman.” Speaking from Beijing during his state visit to China, Lula called on Washington to respect Brazil’s independence and its sovereign choices, particularly in matters of trade and diplomacy.

Lula also praised China as a “key model” for 21st-century economic development, noting the country’s success in lifting 800 million people out of poverty as “a miracle.” At a press conference, he emphasized Brazil’s commitment to working alongside China to defend multilateralism, resist protectionism, and promote global free trade. His comments came during a bilateral forum between China and South American nations, where Brazil expressed support for deeper economic ties with Beijing.

The Brazilian leader also criticized the United States and European Union for failing to invest meaningfully in Latin America, contrasting this with China’s developmental role across the Global South. He reminded the Trump administration of the sizeable U.S. trade surplus with Brazil and urged peaceful solutions to international conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. Lula’s visit marks his sixth to China and his second since returning to office in 2023.