Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reinforced his country’s openness to foreign investment during the inauguration of a new manufacturing facility for Chinese automaker GWM in São Paulo. Speaking at the ceremony on Friday, Lula stated, “Count on the Brazilian government. Whoever wants to leave, leave. Whoever wants to come, we welcome you with open arms.”
The president also criticized the 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods imposed by the U.S., calling the measures an “unnecessary turbulence” for trade. He has previously indicated plans to discuss these tariffs within the BRICS group of developing nations, which includes China, to explore ways to mitigate the impact.
Lula highlighted the broader context of Brazil’s automotive sector, noting that some automakers, such as Ford and Mercedes, have scaled back operations in the past. Yet, he welcomed the entry of companies like GWM, emphasizing that Brazil remains open to negotiating business and attracting investment.
The GWM facility in São Paulo will have an annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles and is expected to create over 2,000 jobs once exports to Latin American markets begin. According to the Brazilian automakers association Anfavea, the country’s auto exports are projected to grow 38.4% in 2025, reaching 552,000 units, signaling a strong recovery and growing regional influence.
This development underlines Brazil’s strategic push to position itself as a competitive hub for automotive manufacturing while navigating global trade challenges.
Source: Reuters
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