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Story summary
- U.S. President Donald Trump now sees Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government as valuable to the United States because Brazil holds vast rare-earth mineral reserves.
- Trump initially imposed tariffs and sanctions on Brazil, but by late 2025 Lula resisted Trump's demands to prosecute Bolsonaro, improving relations.
- Trump's administration shifted to Western Hemisphere partnerships to counter China's rare-earth dominance.
- Lula plans a Washington visit to discuss these strategic minerals.
