A post-Brexit trade deal with Brazil is unlikely amid strained relations between Lula and the Conservative government

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There is little chance of a post-Brexit trade deal with Brazil in the near future due to strained relations between the British Conservative government and the new Luiz administration Inacio Lula da Silva, The Independent has learned.

Successive Tory ministers have previously sought cordial relations with outgoing far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro while neglecting Lula, have underlined figures close to the newly elected president.< /p>

The 77-year-old left-winger sealed a resounding comeback on Sunday night in a narrow victory over populist Mr Bolsonaro, five years after he was jailed for alleged corruption following an investigation by his successor and his political rivals.

Britain has had little contact with Lula and his Workers' Party in recent years, while a number of politician s Tories met with Mr. Bolsonaro and his associates. In some cases, the meetings took place before the latter became president but when his extremist views were well known.

Pro-Bolsonaro truckers block a highway near Sao Paulo after his electoral defeat

Lula, described by Barack Obama as "one of the most popular politicians in the world", maintains relations cordial with Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Mr. Keir Starmer. But communications with Britain's Tories "really were limited to Rishi Sunak's congratulatory tweet after Lula won the election", said a member of the new president's team. are also lifted when Downing Street said Mr Sunak may not attend the Cop27 summit in Egypt. Lula is an environmentalist and is keen to reverse Mr. Bolsonaro's regressive climate actions.

"We heard that your Prime Minister was not going to Cop27, which was surprising because it is a topic so important for the whole planet, "said the figure of the Lula team. "But now we are told that he has changed his mind, so the Prime Minister could have the opportunity to meet the elected President ."

Defeated extremist President Bolsonaro, who was slow to concede defeat in the election, has enjoyed good relations with the British Conservatives

A trade agreement with Brazil, a member of the G20 and major Latin American countries...