Advocates for a multipolar world order, championing BRICS as a key institution for the Global South and demanding reform of the UN Security Council to include permanent members like Brazil and India [14, 29].
Pursues a non-aligned foreign policy that explicitly seeks to avoid a 'second Cold War' between the U.S. and China, aiming to maintain trade and diplomatic relations with all nations [17, 18].
Promotes economic sovereignty through policies such as the domestic processing of critical minerals and advocating for bilateral trade in national currencies to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar [20, 25, 27].
Believes emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence require strict, global regulation managed by a multilateral institution with the authority and scope of the United Nations [4, 22].
Condemns violations of sovereignty and human rights, citing BRICS' official condemnation of Russia's territorial invasion of Ukraine and the 'killings and alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip' [10, 11, 13].
▶Advocacy for a Multipolar World OrderApr 2026
Lula da Silva consistently promotes a shift away from a unipolar or bipolar global structure. He champions the BRICS bloc as a key geopolitical creation for the Global South [14], advocates for the reform of the UN Security Council to include nations like Brazil and India [29], and envisions the New Development Bank as an alternative to the IMF and World Bank [28, 31].
Investors should monitor the strengthening of BRICS and other non-Western institutions, as their growing influence could create new economic centers of gravity and alternative financial systems, potentially impacting the dominance of traditional Western-led organizations.
▶Strategic Economic Sovereignty
A core theme is Brazil's pursuit of economic independence and control over its own resources. This is evident in the national policy to process critical minerals domestically before export [20, 21] and the push to use national currencies in bilateral trade to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar [25, 27]. This strategy extends to fostering domestic industry, such as Embraer's expansion into India [30, 32].
Analysts should watch for increased state intervention in Brazil's strategic sectors, particularly mining and technology, which could create both opportunities for partnership in value-added industries and regulatory hurdles for foreign companies focused on raw material extraction.
▶Geopolitical Non-AlignmentApr 2026
Lula explicitly states that Brazil's foreign policy is to avoid a new Cold War between the United States and China [17, 18]. This position involves maintaining balanced trade and diplomatic relations with all countries, exemplified by seeking a meeting with Donald Trump [1] while simultaneously deepening ties with India [16] and participating in the BRICS bloc.
Brazil's non-aligned stance makes it a pivotal swing state in global geopolitics, offering a degree of stability and diversification for supply chains, but it also carries the risk of being caught in the crossfire of U.S.-China tensions.
▶Emphasis on Multilateral Regulation and Diplomacy
Lula advocates for global problems to be solved through international institutions and dialogue. He calls for a UN-level body to impose rigid regulations on artificial intelligence [4, 22] and insists that the political situation in Venezuela must be resolved by its people without foreign interference [19]. This diplomatic approach is also reflected in his condemnation of territorial invasions [10] and violence in Gaza [13] through the BRICS platform.
Lula's preference for multilateral solutions suggests his government will be an active participant in international forums, potentially influencing global standards on tech, climate, and finance, which could impact multinational corporations' operating environments.