The direction is correct, even if nothing emerges exactly as proposed
Em um momento em que as relações entre Brasília e Washington davam sinais de descongelamento, o ministro Fernando Haddad emergiu como arquiteto de uma dupla aposta: a diplomacia econômica com os Estados Unidos e a reforma fiscal doméstica. A ligação entre Lula e Trump abriu uma fresta, e Haddad tratou de alargá-la, apontando para terras raras e transformação ecológica como pontes concretas entre os dois países. No plano interno, o mesmo ministro conduzia uma negociação rara — a de redistribuir encargos tributários sem perder o apoio do Congresso. São dois movimentos distintos, mas animados pela mesma convicção: que o momento é de possibilidade.
- A tensão acumulada entre Brasil e EUA encontrou um ponto de inflexão inesperado numa ligação telefônica entre Lula e Trump, descrita por Haddad como decididamente positiva após um período que ele mesmo classificou de equivocado.
- A possível reunião com o secretário do Tesouro americano Scott Bessent ainda depende de protocolos diplomáticos não resolvidos, criando uma janela de oportunidade que permanece entreaberta.
- Brasil aposta em minerais de terras raras e projetos de transformação ecológica para reverter o histórico déficit comercial com os EUA, transformando vulnerabilidades ambientais em ativos de negociação.
- No front doméstico, a isenção de imposto de renda para quem ganha até 5 mil reais já passou pela Câmara por unanimidade, e Haddad projeta aprovação no Senado ainda em outubro.
- O imposto mínimo sobre os mais ricos, peça central da agenda fiscal, avança com apoio transideológico surpreendente, sinalizando que o governo consolidou uma narrativa de equilíbrio entre corte de privilégios e responsabilidade fiscal.
Na manhã de uma terça-feira, Fernando Haddad entrou num estúdio de rádio governamental com a postura de quem sente o vento mudar de direção. Meses de navegação tensa entre Brasília e Washington haviam cedido espaço a um novo tom, catalisado por uma ligação entre Lula e Trump que o ministro descreveu como positiva e reveladora de uma virada.
Haddad deixou claro que o Brasil não abandonaria sua abordagem atual com os Estados Unidos — justamente porque, na sua avaliação, ela estava funcionando. Para a semana seguinte, uma viagem aos EUA trazia a possibilidade de um encontro com o secretário do Tesouro Scott Bessent, embora os protocolos diplomáticos ainda precisassem ser acertados, inclusive sobre se o secretário de Estado Marco Rubio faria contato prévio com o chanceler Mauro Vieira.
Por trás da linguagem diplomática, havia interesses econômicos precisos. Haddad apontou a extração de terras raras e os investimentos em transformação ecológica como oportunidades concretas para atrair capital americano e reduzir o histórico déficit comercial do Brasil com os EUA — não como promessas vagas, mas como âncoras reais de uma nova relação bilateral.
De volta ao Brasil, o ministro conduzia simultaneamente uma negociação doméstica de fôlego. A isenção de imposto de renda para trabalhadores que ganham até 5 mil reais mensais já havia sido aprovada por unanimidade na Câmara, e Haddad demonstrava confiança de que o Senado seguiria o mesmo caminho antes do fim de outubro — cumprindo, assim, a promessa central de Lula na campanha de 2022.
O imposto mínimo sobre os mais ricos, por sua vez, havia conquistado apoio em espectros ideológicos distintos do Congresso, algo que o próprio ministro reconheceu como incomum. Para Haddad, a convergência entre a abertura diplomática com Washington e os avanços fiscais domésticos não era coincidência — era o resultado de dois anos de trabalho que, somados, prometiam resultados melhores do que os das duas gestões anteriores.
Brazil's finance minister walked into a government radio studio on a Tuesday morning with a message of cautious optimism. Fernando Haddad had spent months navigating the turbulent waters between Brasília and Washington, and now, after a phone call between President Lula and Donald Trump, he sensed the temperature shifting. The conversation between the two leaders, Haddad said, had been decidedly positive—a turning point after what he called an "misguided" period of tension.
Haddad told listeners of the EBC program that Brazil would not abandon its current approach to dealing with the United States, because in his view, it was working. More significantly, he indicated that a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent might be possible during his planned trip to America the following week. The logistics remained uncertain—Haddad had not yet confirmed Bessent's availability, and he was unsure whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio might first establish contact with Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. Protocol, he acknowledged, was still being sorted out.
What mattered most to Haddad was the broader shift in tone. The diplomatic thaw, he believed, would create space for what he called "frank and productive conversation." Behind that diplomatic language lay concrete economic interests. Brazil, he noted, has historically run a trade deficit with the United States, and there were substantial opportunities to reverse that imbalance. He pointed to two specific areas: the extraction and processing of rare earth minerals, and investments in ecological transformation projects. These were not abstract possibilities but potential anchors for American capital flowing south.
Back home, Haddad was also managing a different kind of negotiation—one that had consumed his attention since 2023. Congress, he said, had proven surprisingly receptive to his agenda of cutting tax privileges for the wealthy, even as such measures typically provoke fierce resistance. The lower house had already voted unanimously to exempt workers earning up to 5,000 reais monthly from income tax. Haddad expressed confidence that the Senate would follow suit before October ended, delivering what he called President Lula's central campaign promise from 2022.
The minimum tax on the wealthy, Haddad argued, was innovative and had won over political actors across Brasília's ideological spectrum. He acknowledged that legislative negotiations were always difficult, that nothing emerged exactly as the government had proposed, but he insisted the direction was correct. Over the past two years, he said, the government had secured agreements that moved in the right direction, and the fiscal results would prove it—better outcomes than the two previous administrations had achieved.
For Haddad, the convergence of these two tracks—diplomatic opening with Washington and domestic fiscal reform—represented a moment of possibility. The phone call between Lula and Trump had broken a logjam. Now came the work of translating that thaw into investment flows and legislative victories, one meeting and one vote at a time.
Citas Notables
The conversation between Lula and Trump was very positive, and both leaders were determined to turn the page on tension between the countries— Fernando Haddad, Finance Minister
The minimum tax on the wealthy is innovative and has won minds and hearts across different political actors in Brasília— Fernando Haddad
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why does Haddad keep emphasizing that Brazil won't change its strategy? Doesn't that sound defensive?
He's signaling consistency to markets and Congress. If he suddenly shifted course after the Trump call, it would look like capitulation. By saying the strategy was working all along, he's claiming vindication—the approach forced the conversation he wanted.
But what was the strategy, really? What was Brazil actually doing that made Trump call?
That's the thing—Haddad doesn't spell it out. He's being deliberately vague. It could have been diplomatic pressure, it could have been economic positioning, it could have been Lula's personal relationship with Trump. The ambiguity lets him claim credit either way.
He mentions rare earths and ecological projects as investment opportunities. Are those real possibilities or just talking points?
They're real, but they're also convenient. Brazil has rare earth deposits, and the US is desperate to reduce dependence on China. Ecological projects appeal to American investors looking for ESG credentials. Haddad is offering things the US actually wants, which is why he leads with them.
What about the domestic agenda—the income tax exemption and minimum tax on the wealthy? How does that fit?
It doesn't fit with the US diplomacy at all. That's purely domestic politics. He's trying to show Congress and voters that while he's managing international relations, he's also delivering on Lula's 2022 promises. It's about proving he can juggle multiple crises simultaneously.
Is he confident about the Senate vote in October?
He sounds confident, but carefully so. He's already won the lower house unanimously, which is remarkable. The Senate is where resistance usually hardens, but he's betting the political momentum carries through. If it doesn't, his whole narrative about fiscal discipline collapses.