Xi Takes Aim at US ‘Protectionism’ in Phone Call With Lula

In a phone call, Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized "protectionism" in an apparent reference to the trade policies of the United States. The call took place after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met with the leaders of India and Russia, as part of his efforts to strengthen alliances following former US President Donald Trump's trade war that impacted Brazil's economy. The conversation between Xi and Lula underscores China's desire to counter US influence and strengthen its own economic and political ties with key players in the global South. As the world's second-largest economy, China is seeking to expand its influence, particularly in regions where the US has traditionally held sway. The phone call highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and China, as well as the broader geopolitical shifts taking place in the aftermath of Trump's trade policies.