Brazil’s Lula says Hormuz is vital to trade

On Tuesday during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the settlements in the West Bank. He expressed indignation over the issues plaguing the United Nations and its limited capacity to protect the most vulnerable.

Lula highlighted the critical importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for international trade. He noted that the conflict in the Middle East had resulted in multiple closures of the strait, leading to higher prices for oil, refined products, and fertilizers, which are essential inputs for agriculture in Brazil, a country heavily dependent on these resources.

The president also criticized the ongoing conflicts, stating that generations of Palestinians would endure the "pain and trauma" caused by the genocide in Gaza. He further criticized the illegal settlements in the West Bank, stating that they were making the two-state solution, essential for both Israeli and Palestinian security, increasingly unviable.

In his speech, Lula, without naming the United States, criticized the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, advocating for Brazil to seek partners with a positive agenda that promotes development. The president's address to the UN also covered topics such as violence, the need for regulating Big Tech, and environmental protection.

Regarding rare earths, which Brazil holds the world's second-largest reserves, Lula emphasized that these resources should be developed for the benefit of the Brazilian people, generating wealth within the country.