“A good deal is one where both countries profit,” says Lula at Brazil-Chile Business Forum in Brasília

On Tuesday, April 22, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took part in the closing session of the Brazil–Chile Business Forum, held in Brasília, Federal District, alongside Chilean President Gabriel Boric. Held at the headquarters of the National Confederation of Industry (Confederação Nacional da Indústria – CNI), the Forum served as a platform for dialogue between Brazilian and Chilean business leaders across multiple sectors, with the goal of strengthening bilateral trade relations.

We do not want a cold war. We want to prioritize the sovereign interests of our peoples, who want to live well, who want to produce well, who want to have access to science and technology, who want to have access to the sophisticated things that human beings can produce. This is up to us” 
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,
President of the Republix of Brazil

“A President of the Republic, such as Boric and myself, we do not do business. What we do is open the doors so that business people — who know how to do business — can do business. But I want the Chilean and Brazilian business people to know that good business is when both countries profit,” emphasized the Brazilian President.

>> Full statement by President Lula

Lula pointed out that both Chile and Brazil want to have trade relations with all countries, as long as the sovereign interests of each nation are respected. “This is the moment for us to summon the courage to, using our intelligence, decide what we want to be, what we will be, how we will trade. We do not want a cold war. We want to prioritize the sovereign interests of our peoples, who want to live well, who want to produce well, who want to have access to science and technology, who want to have access to the sophisticated things that human beings can produce. That is up to us,” said the Brazilian President.

In his speech, Lula also discussed how social policies improve the population's quality of life and boost the economy, even increasing tourism. “Over the past two years the poorest have had an income growth of 10.7%. This is what will make more Brazilian tourists visit Chile. That is what makes more people want to buy plane tickets. That is what makes more people want to travel by bus. That is what makes more people want to travel by ship, because money begins to circulate, people move forward and things begin to get done,” said the President.

SECURITY — The Chilean President emphasized that both countries provide security for investors to do business and drive economic development. “Today, I am pleased to confirm that our trade relationship is at an excellent moment and that Brazil is our third-largest trading partner, after China and the United States. Chile, in turn, is a more important trading partner for Brazil in terms of numbers than the United Kingdom or France,” said Gabriel Boric.

BIOCEANIC CORRIDOR — The Chilean leader also addressed the South American Integration Routes project, which includes the Capricorn Bioceanic Route, connecting Brazilian ports in the states of São Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina to the ports of Iquique, Mejillones, and Antofagasta in Chile. “This is a real, tangible example of regional integration, through 2,400 kilometers, from Campo Grande to the ports of Chile, passing through Paraguay and Argentina. It is a project we will leave behind, and it is a State policy,” said Boric. The infrastructure for this route is expected to be completed by 2026, still during President Lula’s current term.

COLLABORATION — The vice president of the National Confederation of Industry (Confederação Nacional da Indústria/CNI), Mario Cezar de Aguiar, thanked the presence of the leaders from both countries and the engagement of businesspeople at the event. “With your leadership, we will be able to deepen the enduring and strategic partnership between Brazil and Chile. We must continue working to ensure we can overcome the uncertainties in the global scenario and provide appropriate responses to the challenges of the contemporary world. Through dialogue and the union of businesspeople and the public sector, we can build a more prosperous and sustainable future for our countries,” said Mario Cezar de Aguiar.

The president of the Chilean Society of Industrial Promotion, Rosario Navarro, emphasized that the Forum laid out a comprehensive path for deeper integration between the two nations. “We have the capabilities, the drive, and a shared vision. Now is the time to turn this vision into actions and results,” said Navarro.

13 AGREEMENTS — The official State visit of the Chilean President to Brazil also included, this Tuesday (22), a bilateral meeting with Lula and the signing of 13 agreements and memorandums between the two countries in various areas, such as justice and public security, defense, science and technology, culture, fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture, livestock, and artificial intelligence.

RELATIONS — Brazil-Chile relations are characterized by the dynamism of their trade and business exchange. In political coordination, an area in which both countries have deepened their cooperation, mutual understanding and the adoption of common positions have been frequent, both regionally and multilaterally. Bilateral investments grow year after year, benefiting the economies and societies of both countries. Brazil holds the largest stock of Chilean foreign investments worldwide, and Chilean companies operating in Brazil are spread across sectors as diverse as pulp and paper, retail, and energy. Brazil, in turn, has invested in Chilean sectors such as energy, financial services, food, mining, steel, construction and pharmaceuticals.

TRADE BALANCE — From January to March 2025, total trade between the two countries reached USD 2.7 billion. During this period, Brazil exported USD 1.56 billion and imported USD 1.21 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of USD 350 million. Among the main Brazilian products exported to Chile are crude oil, meat, automobiles, and tractors. Brazil, in turn, mainly imports salmon, wine, and copper derivatives from Chile.

PARTNERSHIP — Chile is a key South American partner for Brazil. The two countries share the understanding that ongoing regional economic integration initiatives are convergent and work together to promote dialogue between the Pacific Alliance and Mercosur. There is also significant potential for cooperation in science and technology, in Antarctic cooperation, and in defense matters.