Washington: After Jair Bolsonaro, a close ally of Donald Trump, ended his turbulent presidency, US President Joe Biden will meet with Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in person at the White House on Friday to restart relations between the two countries.
During their late-afternoon meeting in the Oval Office, the two leaders are anticipated to discuss climate change, Brazilian democracy, and Lula's efforts to re-engage with the international community.
A senior Biden administration official informed reporters in advance of the talks that "the two presidents will talk about how we can advance our shared commitment to promote, strengthen, and defend democracy, not just in our respective countries but in the hemisphere and the world."
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Under Bolsonaro, Lula's far-right predecessor, relations between the two biggest democracies in the Western Hemisphere had been tepid.
Bolsonaro, who narrowly lost to Lula in the Oct. 30 runoff election, boarded a flight to Florida two days before his term came to an end on Jan. 1.
He had challenged the outcome of the election. Days later, a violent mob of Bolsonaro supporters stormed the Congress, Supreme Court, and presidential mansion in Brazil.
After meeting Senator Bernie Sanders and Democratic lawmakers in the morning, Lula will go to the White House.
Support for democracy, human rights, and the environment will be at the top of Lula's agenda in Washington, according to Brazil's foreign ministry. Brazil is also eager for additional nations to contribute to the Amazon Fund, which was established by Germany and Norway to support initiatives for sustainable development and rainforest protection.
The two US officials told Reuters that the Biden administration is considering contributing to the $1.3 billion fund. A US contribution to the fund managed by Brazil would emphasise the warming of relations between the two nations following a recent period of tense relations.
Lula went to Washington with Marina Silva, the environment minister, who will meet with John Kerry, Biden's climate envoy. The delegation also includes the ministers of foreign affairs, finance, and racial equality.
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This week, Brazil launched an enforcement operation against illegal gold miners who have wreaked havoc on the Yanomami indigenous reservation in northern Brazil, reiterating its commitment to safeguarding the Amazon rainforest.
When Lula's predecessor loosened environmental regulations, it encouraged logging and mining in the Amazon and caused the region's deforestation to reach a 15-year high.
