Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Gabriel Boric of Chile met in Brasilia on Tuesday. The day was coined by both governments as “Chile-Brazil Friendship Day.”
Lula and Boric —aged 79 and 39 respectively—signed 13 agreements about a range of topics. These included public security, science, technology, culture, and measures against transnational organized crime.
One of the projects discussed by the two leaders was the “Bioceanic Corridor” project: a 2,400km land transport network which would connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The route would connect southern Brazil, the northwestern Chaco region in Paraguay, the Argentine provinces of Salta and Jujuy, and the north Chilean ports of Antofagasta, Mejillones, and Iquique.
The corridor has been a topic of discussion since 2015, though it is expected that the required infrastructure will be completed by 2026.
Earlier this month, a Chinese delegation, including railway experts, traveled to Brazil to explore the possibility of a rail corridor that would connect Brazil to the Pacific Ocean via the north Peruvian port of Chancay.
Such networks could serve as an alternative to the Panama Canal, and offer broader trade opportunities to countries like China, which has found itself in the middle of a tariff war with the United States.
Following their private meeting, Lula said to Boric in front of reporters: “You don’t want a cold war, and I don’t want a cold war. I don’t want to have to choose between the United States or China.” He added, “I want to sell to both.”
Lula also suggested that Boric should “get closer” to Xi Jinping’s government, and invited him to the upcoming BRICS summit, according to news agency EFE.
The Brazilian president also stated: “I believe that the presidents of South American countries should realize that we are very weak when we are isolated,” according to the government website.
The importance of international alliances was echoed by Boric, who said, “Today is a scenario of global uncertainty, primarily in economic matters,” according to El País.
Boric continued: “It is more important than ever to reaffirm these ties and say here, in South America: we are friendly countries. We will continue working together to defend the principles that matter to us for Chile and the world: democracy, the value of multilateralism, and the importance of free trade for the benefit of our people.”
Both presidents also highlighted the importance of opposing the far right, which the presidents consider to be a “threat” to democratic governments.
Following their meeting, Lula wrote on X: “The Brazil-Chile relationship is an example against protectionism. Other countries abuse unilateral actions and taxation policies, but our relationship proves that trade governed by rules is the best path. That is why it is symbolic to have been alongside the president Gabriel Boric at the closing of the Brazil-Chile Business Forum.” The post was also shared by Boric.
Featured image credit:
Image: Lula and Boric together at a ceremony in August 2024
Photographer: Ricardo Stuckert / PR
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/palaciodoplanalto/53904866990
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/
