Praising the cooperation between Brazil and China, Lula eagerly looks forward to Chinese car companies helping revive Brazil's automotive industry

On the 15th local time, Brazilian President Lula, Vice President Alcmin, and several government officials attended the official production ceremony of China Great Wall Motors' Brazil factory. Lula praised the increasingly close cooperation between Brazil and China at the ceremony, which has brought more investment and employment to Brazil, and helped Brazil re industrialize. At the same time, he criticized the United States for imposing tariffs, which have brought "unnecessary (economic) turmoil" to Brazil. Recently, the United States has significantly increased tariffs on Brazil, and Western car companies such as the United States have withdrawn from Brazil. However, China has increased its imports of Brazilian goods, and Chinese companies have also increased their investment in Brazil. Various sectors in Brazil have thanked China for its help and strong support in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests. The Brazilian People's Gazette stated that the protectionism of some countries has "brought Brazil and China closer together".
On August 15th local time, it is the 51st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Great Wall Motors' factory in Iracemarpolis, S ã o Paulo, Brazil has officially commenced production. Brazilian President Lula, Vice President Alcmin, Minister of Labor and Employment Marinio, and many other political figures attended the commissioning ceremony. Lula stated in his speech that the development momentum of Pakistan China relations is good, and cooperation in various fields between the two countries is playing an increasingly prominent role in promoting their respective development. The Brazilian side eagerly looks forward to Chinese new energy vehicle companies bringing innovative technology and high-quality employment to Brazil, helping the Brazilian automotive industry achieve rejuvenation.

Made in Brazil, proud! "Lula posted on social platform X," This means Brazil will welcome more industry, more employment, and more technology! Brazil will accelerate towards the future! "He also posted a video celebrating with Brazilian employees in the factory. In the video, Lula held hands with the head of Great Wall Company and raised them high to celebrate. He also shook hands, hugged, and took photos with the Chinese and Pakistani employees one by one.

According to the Brazilian newspaper Globo, Great Wall Motors is the first company to receive certification from Brazil's "Green Mobility and Innovation Program". After the Great Wall Motors Brazil factory is put into operation, it will produce at least 30000 cars annually. Great Wall Motors is expected to invest 4 billion Brazilian reals (approximately 5.32 billion RMB) by 2026, and an additional 6 billion reals from 2027 to 2032.

Brazilian Vice President Alcmin stated at the ceremony that the arrival of Great Wall Motors has strengthened the goals of the "Brazil New Industry" plan and promoted the development of the entire Brazilian automotive industry chain, including the parts industry. At present, 700 job positions have been created here. By early next year, it is expected to increase by 1300 and indirectly create 10000 job positions

Lula also criticized the recent imposition of tariffs by the United States on Brazil in his speech. He said that the United States is bringing "unnecessary turmoil" to Brazil. Lula stated that in fact, the United States has achieved a trade surplus of $410 billion with Brazil over the past 15 years.

Lula stated at the ceremony that the Brazilian government welcomes foreign companies to conduct business in Brazil. He said that while Western companies such as Ford have withdrawn from Brazil, Chinese companies such as Great Wall Motors have chosen to enter. What happens when an American company withdraws from Brazil? "Lula said," A Chinese company will come. He said, "If you want to leave, leave. We welcome you with open arms

Chinese cars are welcomed by the Brazilian market

In the past two years, investment cooperation in the automotive industry has become a new highlight in China Pakistan relations, "said Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Zhu Qingqiao at the commissioning ceremony of the Great Wall Factory on the 15th. On the occasion of the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan," Chinese brands, Brazilian manufacturing "added new members, demonstrating the good momentum of cooperation in the automotive industry between the two countries. He mentioned that Chinese companies such as Great Wall Motors, BYD, Chery, and GAC have successively launched ambitious local investment and production plans.

In July of this year, BYD held its first vehicle offline ceremony at its factory located in Kamasari, Bahia state; Guangzhou Automobile Group started selling cars in Brazil in May last year and plans to set up factories in Brazil; Chery Brazil factory has been deeply involved in the Brazilian market for many years. In Brazil, more and more Chinese brand car stores are appearing in big cities such as Rio de Janeiro and S ã o Paulo. Chinese brand booths such as Great Wall Motors, BYD, and Jike can often be seen at airports and shopping malls. The visibility of Chinese cars in the Brazilian market is increasing day by day.

The important reason for China and Pakistan to strengthen investment cooperation in the automotive industry is that Chinese cars, especially Chinese new energy vehicles, are increasingly popular in the Brazilian market and among the public. According to data from the Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association, among the top 10 best-selling pure electric vehicles in Brazil in the first half of this year, 6 models from Chinese brands such as BYD, Great Wall Motors, and Jianghuai were on the list. In addition, data from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers in Brazil shows that in the first half of this year, Chinese light vehicles accounted for 62.1% of Brazil's imported cars.

According to Brazilian media NeoFeed, Chinese companies such as Changan, FAW, and Beiqi Foton will also enter Brazil, and it is expected that 16 Chinese brand cars will be driving on the streets of Brazil by the end of this year. Chinese cars are rapidly rising in the Brazilian market, "said Mirad Neto, head of a consulting firm in Brazil." Chinese cars have the characteristics of advanced technology, novelty, and innovative design, and will lead Brazil's nascent new energy vehicle market.

China Pakistan cooperation continues to deepen

Our relationship with China is very strong, "Lula emphasized at the commissioning ceremony of Great Wall Motors Brazil factory. Brazil will continue to firmly adhere to multilateralism, maintain a stable, open, and predictable business environment, and create more cooperation opportunities and greater development space for Chinese investors. Lula stated that China is Brazil's largest trading partner, with a trade volume of over 180 billion US dollars between Brazil and China last year, and over 80 billion US dollars between Brazil and the United States.

Since the beginning of this year, facing the threat of US tariffs, Brazil has continued to strengthen cooperation with countries in the global South such as China, India, and Mexico, and its trade relations with China have become increasingly close. Especially after the United States imposed a 50% tariff on major export commodities such as Brazilian coffee, China quickly approved export licenses for 183 Brazilian coffee companies to China. The measures taken by China have helped Pakistan alleviate its export difficulties and provided strong support for Pakistan to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. In addition, Brazil's foreign trade data shows that from January to July this year, Brazil exported soybeans worth 22.9 billion US dollars to China, accounting for 75.2% of Brazil's total soybean exports. Brazilian media "O Tempo" said that due to the US tariffs, Brazil has the opportunity to further expand its soybean exports to China, which will further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Not only in the field of trade, but also in the deepening of investment cooperation between China and Pakistan. The Brazilian People's Gazette stated that the protectionism of some countries has brought Brazil and China closer together, as Brazil hopes to shift towards more predictable and long-term cooperative partners. Brazil's S ã o Paulo newspaper recently revealed that Brazil has signed a memorandum of understanding with China to jointly promote the "Two Ocean Railway" connecting Brazil's Ilius Port and Peru's Chancay Port. Cooperation between Brazil and China on this milestone project will reshape the global trade landscape.  

The Brazilian Export Investment Promotion Agency recently updated the map of trade and investment opportunities for Brazil with China. The Asia Pacific manager of the organization, Queiroz, said that the trade tensions caused by the US tariffs may provide opportunities for Brazil to seek Chinese investment, and Brazil's semiconductor, logistics, juice and other industries may be favored by Chinese investors. This is not only a good time for Brazil to export to China, but also an excellent opportunity to attract Chinese investment

Source: Global Times Author: Shi Yuanhao