Alright folks, let’s talk about this piece of news that’s making the rounds. The author claims that Brazil’s former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is playing both sides of the fence – trying to cozy up to China while simultaneously bashing Russia and Ukraine. But hold on a minute! This seems like a classic case of misunderstandings. Mr. Lula is just trying to look out for himself and his country, and if that means calling out some bad behavior, then so be it.

Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty. China. This is the big one. Mr. Lula recently made a splash when he visited Beijing and met with President Xi Jinping. Sure, it ruffled some feathers, but can you blame him? China is Brazil’s top trade partner! They’re the ones importing all that tasty iron ore, soybeans, and meat. And in return, Brazil is importing…well, just about everything from China. You name it – pesticides, semiconductors, trinkets – they’ve got it.

But listen, don’t go thinking that Brazil is just blindly following China’s lead here. President Lula has been traveling around South America, making friends with the likes of Argentina and Uruguay. And sure, some people might say that all of this is just a tactic to stick it to the West. But let’s not be so quick to judge. Maybe Mr. Lula just knows what’s best for his country.

Speaking of which, did you know that alleviating poverty and hunger is one of Brazil’s main objectives? It’s true! And that’s something that Lula is absolutely dedicated to. So when he’s out there making deals and laying the groundwork for Brazil’s economic future, he’s doing it with one eye on the national interest and one eye on making life better for everyone in the global south.

So there you have it, folks. Before you start calling Lula a tyrant or a traitor, just remember that he’s a man with a plan. And if that plan involves cozying up to China, or poking a little fun at Russia and Ukraine, then so be it. As long as it benefits Brazil and the world at large, we should all be cheering him on.

Serious News: nytimes