BRAZIL: Lula To Meet Biden At White House On Friday

Brazil President Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva will meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House tomorrow as Biden attempts to reconstruct a relationship which experienced strain during the administration of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

• Lula is also slated to hold meeting with US lawmakers on Capitol Hill, including with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
• According to Reuters, "...support for democracy, human rights and the environment will be at the center of Lula's agenda in Washington."
• The Brazilian delegation is expected to include Environment Minister Marina Silva and Finance Minister Fernando Haddad.
• Filipe Nasser, a senior adviser to Brazil’s foreign minister said the trip reflects a significant moment for Brazil-US relations: “I think this is an opportunity for the leaders to establish or re-establish a personal rapport between them."
• Michel Arslanian, Secretary for the Americas at Brazil's Foreign Ministry told reporters that Brazil is interested in gaining preferential market access for defence and military equipment sales.
• Reuters: "Lula's meeting with Biden represents a show of support for Brazil's democratic institutions, which came under stress with Bolsonaro's refusal to concede defeat in the October election..."