Haddad is expected to speak with the US Treasury Secretary this week.

Finance Minister Fernando Haddad is expected to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week. The plan is to pave the way for a possible meeting between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers' Party) and U.S. President Donald Trump .

"It's very important that we prepare for this conversation (between Lula and Trump). I've been in contact with Bessent's team to schedule a meeting next week. We understand that trade relations should not be affected by political perceptions of any kind. I'm certain that a conversation with Bessent will pave the way for a meeting, if it's convenient for both presidents," Haddad said in a press conference.

The minister told CNN that the intention of the meeting with Bessent was to depoliticize the debate with US authorities. He said the Brazilian government has no intention of abandoning the negotiating table, even with the new US trade tariffs coming into effect.

The surcharges, signed by Trump in an executive order last week, provide for a 50% tariff on several Brazilian products, under the justification of a “national emergency.”

The White House, however, excluded around 700 items from the list, such as airplanes, cellulose, orange juice, oil and iron ore — which left 44.6% of Brazilian exports outside the tariff hike, according to data from the MDIC (Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services) .

Another topic that could be on the meeting's agenda is the Magnitsky Act, which was applied against Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) . Haddad said the idea is to explain to the secretary how the independence of the branches of government works in Brazil.

The meeting has not yet been scheduled for a specific date, but the minister stated that he would be willing to hold an in-person meeting. The Brazilian government is also considering sending Vice President Geraldo Alckmin (PSB), who heads the Ministry of Education and Culture (MDIC), to negotiate directly with American authorities.

Connection is not ruled out

After Trump said that Lula could call “at any time” to discuss tariffs and other conflicts between the countries, the Brazilian president responded that he is open to dialogue .

At a press conference in the White House Rose Garden, Trump said, "He can talk to me anytime. We'll see what happens. I love the Brazilian people." He concluded by stating that "the people who govern Brazil did the wrong thing."

Even before the statements, Lula's aides were already considering a possible meeting with Trump during the UN General Assembly, scheduled for the second week of September in New York. For now, the possibility is seen as a hypothesis—not a confirmed agenda.

The Finance Minister reinforced that "the feeling is mutual" regarding Trump's signaling and that it is necessary to "prepare the ground" for a possible connection between the leaders.

However, analysts point out that “caution” is needed, given the “unpredictable” nature of Donald Trump .