Under the leadership of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil developed an independent foreign policy that sought to increase the country’s international presence while also confronting the West. This policy was characterized by a focus on increasing Brazil’s diplomatic and economic ties with other countries in the Global South, while also pushing back against what Lula saw as the unfair practices of Western countries.
On the economic front, Lula sought to expand Brazil’s trade relationships with other countries, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. He also sought to increase Brazil’s global market share by engaging in trade negotiations with the European Union and the United States. This included signing a free trade agreement between Brazil, the United States, and other South American countries in 2006.
Lula also sought to further Brazil’s influence in international organizations such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization. He also pushed for the creation of a new development bank, the Bank of the South, which was designed to finance development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.
On the diplomatic front, Lula sought to increase Brazil’s presence in international organizations and deepen ties with other countries in the Global South. He was critical of the United States’ foreign policy, particularly the Iraq War and the War on Terror, and sought to create a more equal relationship between the U.S. and other countries. He also sought to develop closer ties with countries such as Iran, China, and Russia, which the West viewed with suspicion.
Despite some successes, Lula’s foreign policy was met with criticism from the West, particularly the United States. The U.S. was concerned that Brazil’s independent foreign policy could challenge its global hegemony, and viewed Lula’s policies as a threat to U.S. interests. Nevertheless, Lula’s foreign policy helped to increase Brazil’s international presence and influence, and laid the groundwork for the country’s continued rise as a global power.
