May 5 (UPI) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday amid growing diplomatic and trade tensions between the two countries.
Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin confirmed the visit, expressing confidence the meeting could strengthen what he described as a positive rapport between the two leaders.
"I hope this good understanding that has developed between President Lula and President Trump can be further strengthened for the benefit of both great countries, two great Western democracies," Alckmin said, according to Agencia Brasil.
The visit comes after tensions escalated in late April when the United States expelled a Brazilian federal police liaison stationed in Miami, accusing him of attempting to bypass formal extradition procedures linked to the detention of a former intelligence chief under ex-President Jair Bolsonaro. Brazil responded with reciprocal measures targeting U.S. agents.
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