# Flávio Bolsonaro's foreign policy vision > Brazil's far-right presidential candidate promises closer ties with Washington but faces economic reality: China remains essential. - Title: Flávio Bolsonaro's foreign policy vision · Foreign Policy - Summary: Brazil's far-right presidential candidate promises closer ties with Washington but faces economic reality: China remains essential. Flávio Bolsonaro would… - Keywords: flávio bolsonaro, brazil, presidential election 2026, foreign policy, united states, china, donald trump, luiz inácio lula da silva, trade relations, geopolitics, latin america, Flávio - Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/21/brazil-presidential-election-lula-bolsonaro-china-us-trump - Author: Catherine Osborn - Published: 2026-09-24T00:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 4 min - Topics: flávio bolsonaro, brazil, presidential election 2026, foreign policy, united states, china, donald trump, luiz inácio lula da silva, trade relations, geopolitics, latin america ## Bolsonaro rallies with U.S. and Israeli flags At his August kickoff rally in Rio, Flávio Bolsonaro's supporters waved flags of the United States and Israel alongside Brazilian colors, signaling a sharp pivot from Lula's balanced foreign policy approach. ## The Bolsonaro family's Trump connection Jair Bolsonaro emulated Trump's style to win in 2018. His brother Eduardo has strategized with Trump advisors like Steve Bannon to boost far-right politics across Latin America. ## Eduardo pushed Trump to punish Lula Eduardo Bolsonaro urged Trump to sanction Brazilian judges who convicted his father of plotting to overturn Lula's 2022 election. Trump called the trial a witch hunt and raised tariffs on Brazilian goods to 50 percent. > witch hunt ## Flávio's promised U.S. alignment Flávio pledges to join Trump's Shield of the Americas anti-gang initiative, seek a free trade deal with Washington, and partner on rare earths to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese supply chains. ## China problem: Brazil's top trade partner While Trump urges Latin American allies to abandon China, it remains Brazil's largest trading partner. Experts expect Bolsonaro would align with Trump on security while preserving major economic ties with Beijing. ## Foreign policy isn't voters' priority Among a dozen Bolsonaro supporters interviewed at his rally, none listed foreign policy as their top concern. Brazilians overall prioritize security and the economy in this election. ## Americans' view of U.S. has soured Brazilian opinion of the United States has worsened during Trump's second administration. Bolsonaro may win not because voters prefer a pro-U.S. tilt, but due to dissatisfaction with Lula elsewhere. ## Security alignment with Trump likely Bolsonaro endorsed Trump's May designation of two Brazilian crime groups as terrorist organizations, which Lula opposed. A Bolsonaro government would likely use U.S. intelligence support for military operations against them. ## Trump's boots on ground in Ecuador The Trump administration has already provided intelligence support for operations in Mexico and deployed troops in Ecuador. A Bolsonaro presidency could expand this military cooperation in the region. ## Jair's China rhetoric faded in office Before 2018, Jair Bolsonaro accused China of buying Brazil and visited Taiwan. But in office, he grew Brazil's trade with China, kept Huawei in 5G, and stayed active in BRICS despite U.S. pressure. ## Flávio takes pragmatic China stance Bolsonaro's campaign platform pledges to negotiate with China alongside other countries where Brazil has interests. His running mate said Brazil will treat all countries with equality and strengthen mutual trade. > Brazil will always treat all the countries of the world with decency, with equality, and with an aim to strengthen relations. ## Blocking Chinese payment system PIX Bolsonaro endorsed blocking Brazil's instant payment system PIX from non-Western cross-border arrangements, preventing Chinese payment company UnionPay from linking with PIX for Chinese visitors. ## De-dollarization under fire Bolsonaro criticized Lula's moves toward de-dollarization, where Brazilian and Chinese companies settle business in native currencies. Brazil also plans to issue yuan-denominated sovereign bonds this year. ## Nondollar transactions reduce vulnerability De-dollarization reduces currency conversion fees and shields Brazil-China business from potential U.S. sanctions. But Brazil's business community lacks consensus, so progress could slow under Bolsonaro. ## Lula diversifies tech partnerships Lula's government buys supercomputers from both China and the U.S., uses Brazilian, American, and Chinese satellites, and collaborates with Spain and India on chips and tech. Bolsonaro may reverse this strategy. ## Diversification prevents power concentration Working with multiple tech partners prevents any single country from interrupting critical state capacities. Competition also pushes companies to meet Brazil's needs better. Bolsonaro would likely abandon this approach. ## Tariff relief as economic incentive Bolsonaro argues that greater deference to the U.S. on economic policy could deliver relief from Trump's heavy tariffs. Lula rejected similar concessions, saying they would violate Brazil's sovereignty. ## Eduardo may run foreign ministry Bolsonaro has not named a foreign minister. A columnist reported Eduardo said privately he would run the ministry if his brother wins. Eduardo has bashed the U.N., criticized climate action, and boosted global far-right figures. ## Bolsonaro doubts human climate responsibility Bolsonaro's platform says Brazil will help the world carry out energy transition. But in an August TV interview, he cast doubt on whether humans are responsible for climate change. ## Lula bets on multilateralism, Bolsonaro on alignment Lula believes Brazil can shape multilateralism while maintaining strategic autonomy as a middle power. Bolsonaro assumes middle powers will be pulled into either the U.S. or Chinese orbit, rejecting independent positioning. ## Key takeaway Flávio Bolsonaro would likely align with Trump on security while maintaining Brazil's crucial trade relationship with China, abandoning his father's attempts at strategic autonomy.