Lula 'surprised by Sunak's delayed call' as Brazilian president's inauguration nears

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It apparently took Global Britain executive Rishi Sunak thirty-nine days to have a phone conversation with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after his historic victory in the presidential election in Brazil, Latin America America's largest economy and a sought-after business partner.

Lula, meanwhile, had previously spoken to US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron, among other world leaders, as well as the French president in Paris, and a host of high profile international public figures at Cop27 in Egypt.

The British Prime Minister had sent congratulations to Lula after his victory over far-right incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro on October 30.

During their subsequent call, which did not take place until December 9, Mr. Sunak and the Brazilian president-elect referred to “ the importance of taking action to reverse the per of forests, biodiversity preservation plans and the transition to a greener economy .

The leaders [also] wished each other good luck in their respective upcoming World Cup matches,” according to Downing Street.

There is surprise among the squad at Lula when it took Sunak to reach out to the president-elect who will be sworn in on Sunday in Brasilia.

Relations were already strained between successive British Conservative governments and the Lula camp due to Tory ministers seeking cordial relations with Mr. Bolsonaro while ignoring the left-progressive Lula and his Workers' Party.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won his historic victory in the presidential election in Brazil on October 30

This played a role in the low likelihood of a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and Brazil - a declared priority for the London government which has proposed a commercial partnership re nforced (ETP) in Brazil in February this year, since then little progress has been made in the negotiations.

Senior officials in Lula's team have said the standoff will not end probably not unless Britain makes substantial changes to its "unequal terms" - particularly on access for Brazilian agricultural products to the UK market.

Brazilian officials point out that the lack of communication over the years between London and Lula, a former president, has failed to build relationships and "didn't help" move the agenda forward. okay.

Lula, dec...