President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday (23) to discuss economic and commercial relations between the two countries. According to the Planalto Palace, Lula stressed the importance of deepening these relationships, especially in the face of the current moment of uncertainties. 
In the conversation, Lula and Sheinbaum hit an official visit to Mexico who will be led by Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce, Geraldo Alckmin. The date of the trip will be August 27 and 28. Alckmin should take an entourage of entrepreneurs from different sectors.
“As a result of the visit, Lula proposed the beginning of negotiations to expand Brazil-México trade agreement, which favors the expansion of commercial flow between the two countries,” said the Planalto Palace, in a note on the call.
The two presidents also highlighted the sectors of the pharmaceutical, agricultural, ethanol, biodiesel, aerospace, as well as innovation and education industry as strategic areas in the bilateral relationship.
Alckmin’s visit to Mexico occurs in the midst of expansion of tariff pressure by the United States against their historical partners. Recently, US President Donald Trump announced the tariff increase to be applied from August 1 on Brazilian products exported to the US.
Days before, Trump had already imposed 30% export rates on products from Mexiconeighboring country that has a profound business relationship with the US. The Brazilian vice president has also been the country’s leading interlocutor with businessmen and the US government in attempts to negotiate on unilateral tariffs.
