Lula Promises Trump to Open Talks on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths, but Rejects Turning Brazil Into a Simple Exporter of Minerals

Written by Maria Heloisa Barbosa Borges

Published on 24/09/2025 at 19:15

Lula surpreende ao dizer que não há limite para conversa com Trump, mas impõe condição: Brasil não será só exportador de minérios

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Brazilian President Signals Openness to Strategic Dialogue but Imposes Condition to Add Value and Strengthen National Industry.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that he is willing to discuss critical minerals and rare earths in a scheduled meeting with Donald Trump, President of the United States. The negotiation could pave the way for strategic cooperation between the two countries, but Lula made it clear that Brazil will not agree to be reduced to merely exporting raw materials, according to information from valor econômico.

During a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Lula emphasized that the priority is to ensure that the exploration of natural resources is accompanied by industrial and technological partnerships.

The president stressed that international agreements will only have space if they are “win-win” and ensure a direct return for the Brazilian economy.

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What Lula Brought to the Table with Trump

The Brazilian government assesses that the U.S. search for essential strategic minerals for sectors such as clean energy, batteries, semiconductors, and defense presents a unique opportunity for the country.

Brazil has significant reserves of niobium, lithium, and other sought-after inputs in the global market.

However, Lula reinforced that he does not intend to repeat past extractivist models.

“Brazil will take responsibility for its wealth. We do not want to be just exporters of minerals,” he declared.

This statement is interpreted as a direct message to the international market and also to the national business sector.

Rare Earths at the Center of Geopolitics

Critical minerals and rare earths are at the heart of the global dispute among major powers. China dominates over 70% of the global supply chain, and the United States is seeking alternatives to reduce this dependence.

In this scenario, Brazil emerges as a strategic player capable of diversifying supply and attracting investments.

Lula indicated that foreign companies will be able to explore the sector, provided there is a commitment to technology transfer, job creation, and strengthening the national production chain.

The goal is for Brazil not only to supply inputs but also to actively participate in the industrial transformation of these resources.

Economic and Political Impacts

The topic also has internal weight. Lula’s decision to bring the National Council of Mineral Policy (CNPM) to act directly linked to the Presidency reinforces the strategy of centralizing decisions and avoiding the transfer of strategic resources without clear countermeasures.

Behind the scenes, diplomats evaluate that this move could help alleviate recent trade tensions, including the tariff imposed by the U.S. on Brazilian products.

At the same time, it positions Brazil to negotiate broader advantages, such as access to markets and cooperation in technological innovation.

Conclusion: Opportunity or Risk for Brazil?

Lula’s stance shows that the government views critical minerals and rare earths as a strategic trump and not merely as export commodities.

The challenge will be to transform this potential into industrialization and innovation projects, avoiding that the country repeats cycles of external dependence.

And you? Do you believe that Brazil should open the sector to international investors or prioritize strengthening the national industry? Can this negotiation represent progress or risk to our sovereignty?

Leave your opinion in the comments; we want to hear your view on the future of this strategy.

1 Comment

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Fernando possato

#178767

25/09/2025 09:35

Se bem negociado pode trazer um avanço para a economia do Brasil. Mas sem esta estratégia entreguista como fez FERNANDO HENRIQUE E BOLSONARO. LULA ENTA ENCANINHANDO CERTO a negociação de TERRAS RARAS. TEM AUE TER CONTRAPARTIDAS. NAO SER APENAS UM VENDEDOR DE TERRAS RARAS… PRRFEITO PRESIDENTE…

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Lula Promises Trump to Open Talks on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths, but Rejects Turning Brazil Into a Simple Exporter of Minerals

Brazilian President Signals Openness to Strategic Dialogue but Imposes Condition to Add Value and Strengthen National Industry.

What Lula Brought to the Table with Trump

Rare Earths at the Center of Geopolitics

Economic and Political Impacts

Conclusion: Opportunity or Risk for Brazil?

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Lula Promises Trump to Open Talks on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths, but Rejects Turning Brazil Into a Simple Exporter of Minerals

Brazilian President Signals Openness to Strategic Dialogue but Imposes Condition to Add Value and Strengthen National Industry.

What Lula Brought to the Table with Trump

Rare Earths at the Center of Geopolitics

Economic and Political Impacts

Conclusion: Opportunity or Risk for Brazil?

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Brazil will harvest a record crop of up to 357 million tons of grains, but it does not have the capacity to store a large part of it. The storage deficit has reached the highest level in history and is equivalent to almost the entire production of Argentina.

Four times faster than the Concorde, capable of taking passengers from New York to London in less than an hour at Mach 5.5, and with an engine that switches from turbojet to ramjet mid-flight at Mach 3.5, the Hermeus Quarterhorse went from paper to its first flight in just 19 months.

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