Merz receives Lula – and appreciates the Mercosur agreement

Relations with Brazil

Merz receives Lula – and appreciates the Mercosur agreement

When the Chancellor meets the Brazilian President in Hanover, the topics will be trade, protecting the rainforest and Trump. On the very side, it could also be about something else – the sausage.

Germany and Brazil want to further expand their strategic partnership during two-day consultations in Hanover. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) received Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the afternoon in front of Herrenhausen Palace with military honors for a one-on-one conversation. Both then took part in the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe, the largest industrial exhibition in the world. Brazil is the trade fair’s partner country this year.

After his first conversation with Lula, Merz emphasized how important the free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur states is for economic relations with Latin America. The agreement will take effect on May 1st. “We are meeting at a time that, on the one hand, could not be better when it comes to European-South American relations,” said Merz, referring to the agreement. “But we also meet at a time of great challenge and change.”

The Chancellor emphasized that he hoped that the Hanover Trade Fair would be a sign of confidence for Germany as an industrial location. He referred to the reforms that have already been initiated and are still to come. “We have already adopted a number of important reforms. We know that we have to do more,” he emphasized.

Lula and Merz are planning a tour of the exhibition grounds on Monday. The German-Brazilian government consultations will then take place in Herrenhausen Palace, with seven ministers from Brazil and eight ministers from the German side taking part. The aim is to further expand relationships in areas such as trade, raw materials, armaments, digitalization, research and climate protection.

But it will also be about foreign policy. Among other things, US President Donald Trump’s actions against Iran, but also against Latin American countries such as Venezuela and Cuba, are likely to play a role.

“Trump was not elected emperor of the world,” Lula told “Spiegel” before his visit to Germany. “He cannot constantly threaten other countries with war.” The US President said a few days ago: “Maybe we’ll stop by Cuba when we’re done with this.” By this he meant the Iran war, which he started together with Israel.

Lula wants to counter Trump’s great power politics by reforming the United Nations and, like Germany, is aiming for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. However, all attempts to reform the body in recent decades have failed. The Security Council currently has five permanent members who have veto power: the USA, China, Russia, Great Britain and France – all nuclear powers.

Before Hanover, Lula visited Spain and used drastic words to warn of a threat to democracy. Democracy must be strengthened and regression must be prevented. “Because if there is a step backwards, then a Hitler appears.”