By Hernán Corbalán - The Marx Brazil

On May 7, 2026, at the White House, Lula and the representative of global imperialism, Donald Trump, established economic and political agreements that were sealed under strict secrecy and behind the backs of our people, who know nothing about what was discussed there. We repudiate the agreements reached in that meeting of more than three hours between Lula and the representative of global imperialism, which are a real danger to the workers and the people. And we also repudiate the treacherous and pro-imperialist policies of 99% of the left in our country who are part of and support Lula's government, or demand that he "confront imperialism," a lie that is beginning to be exposed .

A meeting and agreements against the people of Brazil

After the meeting with Trump, Lula spoke to reporters at the Brazilian embassy in Washington and said: "I'm happy. I'm returning to Brazil more optimistic. I think Trump was too, and I hope things will start to move forward ," said the PT leader. What "things" does Lula want to "move forward" after his meeting with Trump? But Lula's subsequent statement to the press made a mockery of 99% of the Brazilian left, which is subservient to Lula, with shameful leaders like Guilherme Boulos, or parties like the PSOL that now provides officials to the capitalist government, or parties like the PSTU that proposed to Lula the formation of "an anti-imperialist front" when Trump imposed tariffs on Brazil and the world.

Lula told reporters after the meeting with Trump: "I leave here with the idea that we have taken an important step to consolidate the democratic and historic relationship with the United States . " And when asked if he feared that the United States would impose new tariffs on Brazil after the end of an investigation under Section 301, Lula replied: "Look at me: Do I look optimistic or pessimistic? I am very optimistic." In other words, while the traitorous leaders of the Brazilian left—the PSOL, the Stalinists of the PCdoB, the MES, and the PSTU—call on Lula to form "an anti-imperialist front" with him, Lula responds that Brazil has had a " democratic and historic" relationship with the U.S.

Lula is lying when he says the US has a democratic and historical relationship with Brazil. It's a lie to cover up the agreements made with Trump. Imperialism has never been "democratic" with Brazil, nor will it ever be. As you can read in the article we wrote here, we have always maintained that Lula's government is a bourgeois and pro-imperialist government, which is why it's absurd to call it an "anti-imperialist front," as 99% of the Brazilian left has been proposing. This subservient policy toward Lula's capitalist government has led to the failure of events like COP30, the São Paulo Forum, and the Porto Alegre Conference—events that were reduced to mere bureaucrats and repudiated by activists, as in the case of Indigenous peoples.

Lula and Trump cornered by the crisis of capitalism

Lula also emphasized the importance of the United States opening investment opportunities in Brazil. "We are going to make things happen." But Lula is lying because the crisis of global capitalism is increasingly severe, and no capitalist government can make promises or grant concessions to the people. The "investments" promised by Trump only serve to enrich the wealthy 1% of the country's ruling class. The reality is that both presidents arrived at the meeting at a time of internal political weakness: While Trump faces the highest disapproval ratings of his second term due to the failure of his aggression against Iran, the defeat suffered at the hands of the people that forced him to backtrack on his immigration policy in Minnesota, and with only six months until the midterm elections, he is headed for defeat.

On the other hand, Lula's capitalist government recently suffered a series of defeats in Congress and is not gaining traction in the polls ahead of the presidential elections next October, in which it will face Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The PT is also concerned about allegations of corruption schemes involving Lula's family. Unchecked inflation, part of the global inflationary surge caused by the capitalist crisis, is leading to a significant wage lag for workers, which benefits the country's business owners and the ruling classes because it ensures the maintenance of the rate of exploitation. While decimating our wages, Lula's capitalist government offers the "6x1" pay scale, a complete fabrication that Lula and the union bureaucracy in our country want us to believe will improve our situation amidst the wage collapse, rising inflation, and unemployment, as if Lula were the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

For a revolutionary organization that fights for class independence

From Marx Brazil, we call upon all honest activists and revolutionaries to build an organization with class independence. Far removed from the shameful policy of submission to Lula by the Brazilian left, we must fight for a workers' and people's government in Brazil. Lula told reporters about his relationship with Donald Trump: "Our relationship is very good, something many doubted could happen. You know that thing about love at first sight?" he remarked, emphasizing that the bond between them "evolved." "I have reason to believe that Trump likes Brazil ," said the PT leader. The surprising "sympathy" between Trump and Lula is easy to understand: Both defend capitalism.

And these capitalist leaders, who already met last October at a summit in Kuala Lumpur, are seeking agreements to save the horrific system their governments defend. Lula is going to Washington to ask for support for the upcoming presidential elections, seeking the bargaining chip of regulating export tariffs. And Trump, one of the most unpopular presidents in history, needs the photo op with Lula. They support each other. We Marxists call for the defeat of these governments that defend capitalism, and we invite you to join us in this effort.