Xi Jinping visits Brasilia to cap tour flexing diplomatic clout
Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Brasilia on Wednesday caps a diplomatic blitz across South America that has shown Beijing's growing clout in the region and at global forums where it filled a gap left by the US presidential transition.
During his meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Xi is expected to formalize agreements aimed at enhancing trade and cooperation in key sectors, including agribusiness, energy, and aerospace. The two nations, with a robust bilateral trade relationship valued at approximately $180 billion, aim to deepen their economic and strategic ties during these discussions at Brasília’s presidential residence.
This visit follows Xi's participation in two significant summits within a week: the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Lima and the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. At these events, Xi played a central role, contrasting with the diminished presence of US President Joe Biden, whose term is nearing its end, and the uncertain direction of US foreign policy under incoming President Donald Trump.
A symbolic group photograph at the G20 summit illustrated the shifting dynamics, with Xi standing prominently alongside the leaders of Brazil, India, and South Africa—key partners in the BRICS alliance and consecutive G20 hosts from 2023 to 2025. Biden was notably absent from this photo due to 'logistical reasons,' according to the White House.
As Trump’s administration signals a retreat from multilateralism, Xi’s diplomatic engagements have been interpreted as China stepping into the void. Analysts and diplomats suggest this reflects a strategic shift by Beijing to adopt a more conciliatory and consensus-driven approach on the global stage, addressing contentious issues such as trade disputes and geopolitical tensions.
President Xi’s visit to Brazil underscores China's growing diplomatic ambitions and its willingness to forge deeper ties with developing economies while recalibrating its global strategy.
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