When President Trump returned to the White House last year, observers in Brazil expected immediate hostility towards leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The expected clash with Trump materialized with sanctions and tariffs in response to actions against Jair Bolsonaro. Despite initial disagreements, the U.S. began to ease tariffs and lift sanctions, signaling a shift in approach. The focus has now turned to accessing Brazil’s rare-earth minerals, a valuable resource for high-tech products. Trump’s engagement with Lula aims to strengthen ties and challenge China’s dominance in this sector.