Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva outlined how diversification of trade away from the United States insulated South America’s largest economy from protectionist tariffs imposed by Washington.
Speaking at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila, Lula detailed what he termed a “drible da vaca” maneuver around trade restrictions implemented by Donald Trump. Revista Fórum reported that trade with the United States now accounts for 9.2% of Brazil’s total global commerce following the implementation of heavy tariffs.
While exports to the U.S. contracted, Brazilian commerce expanded significantly across other international markets. Trade grew by nearly 20% with China, 15% with Indonesia, 15.8% with Germany, 13% with Vietnam, and at an average of 10.5% across 50 other nations.
Shifting Agricultural Exports to Asian Markets
ASEAN represents a bloc of nearly 300 million inhabitants spanning countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Indonesia emerged as a major driver of this growth, purchasing increasing volumes of Brazilian sugar, soybean meal, and poultry.
Because Indonesia is a Muslim-majority nation, meat exporters adapted to strict halal processing rules. Abattoirs must employ Muslim workers who sever the animal’s jugular vein for complete blood drainage while ensuring products remain entirely separate from alcohol or pork.
Vietnam also expanded its intake of Brazilian protein, doubling the number of authorized slaughterhouses to eight.
In China, per capita meat consumption climbed from approximately 4 kilograms in 1962 to 70 kilograms by 2022. Brazil’s domestic consumption currently sits close to 80 kilograms per capita annually.
Bilateral Trade Hurdles in Manila
During his remarks in the Philippines, Lula addressed bilateral relations with the summit’s host nation, which counts a population of 87 million. The two countries maintain defense and agricultural partnerships, though specific trade hurdles remain unresolved.
Manila enacted a temporary 60-day suspension on pork imports starting November 24 to safeguard local livestock producers. Philippine customs data show the country imported 381 metric tons of Brazilian pork in 2025.
| Destination / Partner | Trade Shift or Volume | Key Commodity |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Fell to 9.2% of global trade | General Exports |
| China | Grew by nearly 20% | Beef, Poultry, Soy |
| Indonesia | Grew by 15% | Sugar, Poultry, Beef |
| Philippines | 381 tons imported in 2025 | Pork (Suspended Nov 24) |
As the world’s leading exporter of beef and chicken, Brazil also ranks third in global pork sales. Exporters have simultaneously expanded shipments of beef offal, including hearts, livers, and kidneys.
Street food vendors in Vietnam generate high demand for these affordable cuts, particularly for traditional beef offal stews.
International Attention on Brazilian Democracy
Beyond commercial metrics, Lula expressed surprise at the level of international interest directed toward recent political developments in Brazil.
“O mundo viu no Brasil a possibilidade da gente salvar o multilateralismo, da gente salvar a democracia, da gente salvar a participação da sociedade nas decisões,” said Lula to reporters in Manila.
