{
  "id": 11529569,
  "title": "Brazil’s Lula hails ‘bold’ Chinese investors as rival pitches rare earths to Trump",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/brazils-lula-hails-bold-chinese-investors-as-rival-pitches-rare",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T21:04:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369636/brazils-lula-hails-bold-chinese-investors-rival-pitches-rare-earths-trump"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva touted China as a potential partner in Brazil's critical minerals strategy during an interview with a popular podcast just days before the country's election. Lula expressed interest in transforming raw ore into valuable minerals within Brazil's borders. He indicated that China, along with the United States, could offer technological expertise to support this transformation. Lula emphasized that both the United States and China are actively seeking alternative sources of rare earth minerals outside of China due to growing concerns over supply security. This sentiment is echoed by his main political rival, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who has actively courted the Trump administration, portraying Brazil as a key alternative to China for rare earth materials. The senator met with former President Trump at the White House in May, pledging a \"long-term strategic partnership\" on rare earths and outlining plans for \"shared re-industrialization\" between Brazil and the United States. In contrast to Lula, Bolsonaro's claims of a potential partnership were undermined when President Trump exempted Brazilian niobium and ferroniobium from an ongoing tariff, rendering the strategic partnership moot. Despite this setback, Lula's administration has taken steps to bolster Brazil's position in the global minerals market. In April, American company USA Rare Earth finalized a deal to acquire Serra Verde, a leading rare earths producer in Brazil, for approximately $2.8 billion. This acquisition illustrates the increasing interest from foreign investors in Brazil's critical minerals sector. Furthermore, Lula recently signed a law establishing a council under the presidency to oversee strategic projects and provide tax incentives for processing activities in the sector until 2034. This legislative move reflects Brazil's commitment to developing its domestic capabilities in the minerals industry, reducing reliance on foreign imports. Lula's ambitions extend beyond minerals, as he questioned Brazil's continued dependence on China for critical technologies such as electric batteries, chips, and smartphones. He expressed confidence that Brazil could eventually manufacture these goods domestically, positioning the country for greater self-sufficiency. The Brazilian leader's strategy also includes invoking mineral leverage in trade disputes with the United States. Brazil has imposed a 25% tariff on various American goods, including niobium, a metal crucial to aerospace and steel industries. Lula claimed that 60% of the titanium alloyed used in Trump's pursuits originates from Brazil. Despite the tariff order exempting niobium ores and ferroniobium, Lula emphasized Brazil's determination to explore alternative markets. Recent export data indicate a decline in shipments to the United States by 9.7% over the first eight months of the year, while sales to China have surged by 15%.",
  "summary": "Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva named China as a possible partner in his critical minerals plans, three days before Sunday’s closely fought election. Lula told Flow, one of the country’s most-watched podcasts, on Thursday evening that Brazil should stop shipping out raw ore. “We want to transform them here in Brazil,” he said of the minerals. Asked whether China fit into his plans,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Brazil’s Lula gears up for ‘last dance’ with run for fourth presidential term",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/brazils-lula-gears-up-for-last-dance-with-run-for-fourth-presidential",
        "published": "2026-10-02T16:20:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "How the Banco Master scandal injected chaos into Brazil’s presidential race",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/how-the-banco-master-scandal-injected-chaos-into-brazils-presidential",
        "published": "2026-10-02T16:36:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
        "title": "Brazil’s Lula hails ‘bold’ Chinese investors as rival pitches rare earths to Trump",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/brazils-lula-hails-bold-chinese-investors-as-rival-pitches-rare-11530725",
        "published": "2026-10-02T21:04:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian",
        "title": "Brazil’s Lula says only he can stop rise of fascism under Bolsonaro’s son",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/brazils-lula-says-only-he-can-stop-rise-of-fascism-under-bolsonaros",
        "published": "2026-10-02T21:12:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}