🌍︎ Lula’s Euro trip

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in Barcelona Thursday night for a five-day European tour. And he’s not traveling light: his delegation includes 15 ministers and senior federal officials, among them the heads of the National Development Bank (BNDES), the Fiocruz public health institute and the Federal Police — and the size of this presidential away team is a statement.

The trip also includes visits to Germany and Portugal. The three countries share a notable distinction: all were key advocates of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, which will enter into provisional force on May 1 after more than 26 years of negotiations.

Brazil’s bilateral relationship with Spain has deepened significantly during Lula's third term, with the president having met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez every year since returning to office in 2023. Spain is Brazil's eighth-largest trading partner, with bilateral commerce reaching USD 12.6 billion in 2025.

Lula and Sánchez are expected to…

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