# Lula's win denies Trump powerful ally

> Lula's victory in Brazil blocks Trump's push for a right-wing ally in Latin America.
- Title: Lula's win denies Trump powerful ally · ABC7 New York
- Summary: Lula's victory in Brazil blocks Trump's push for a right-wing ally in Latin America. Lula's win in Brazil ends a regional trend toward right-wing rule and…
- Keywords: lula, brazil, trump, bolsonaro, latin america, presidential election, us brazil relations, critical minerals, rare earths, military coalition, news, local
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/story/lulas-win-brazil-bucks-regional-shift-denies-trump-powerful-ally/19980593
- Published: 2026-10-26T11:53:47+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: lula, brazil, trump, bolsonaro, latin america, presidential election, us brazil relations, critical minerals, rare earths, military coalition, news, local
## Lula wins presidential runoff
Brazilian voters denied Latin America’s resurgent right its ultimate prize with Lula defeating Bolsonaro 51.8% to 48.2%.
## Lula blocks Trump’s regional strategy
Lula’s victory complicates Trump’s campaign to enlist Brazil in military coalitions and gain access to critical minerals.
## Trump’s right-wing allies
Across Latin America, voters rewarded conservative candidates promising to restore order, including Peru’s Keiko Fujimori and Chile’s José Antonio Kast.
## U.S. military support for right
Trump reinforced the shift with electoral endorsements, financial bailouts, and millions in military aid to right-wing candidates.
## Lula’s nonalignment strategy
Lula championed Brazil’s nonalignment, deepening trade ties with China and seeking global influence through BRICS.
## U.S. tariffs on Brazil
Trump imposed double-digit tariffs on Brazilian goods to punish Brazil for prosecuting former President Jair Bolsonaro over a coup plot.
## Lula’s stance on gangs
Lula warned that U.S. designations of Brazil’s criminal factions as terrorist organizations could become a pretext for American intervention.
## Brazil’s critical minerals
Brazil holds the world’s second-largest known reserves of rare earths used in missiles, smartphones, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.
## U.S. rare earth deal
USA Rare Earth completed a $2.8 billion takeover of Serra Verde, the Brazilian firm that owns one of the few mines producing all four rare earths.
## Lula’s legislative response
Lula fast-tracked legislation tightening oversight of critical minerals to counter U.S. influence.
## Lula’s domestic challenges
Lula faces congressional opposition from conservatives who expanded their ranks in the Oct. 4 elections.
## Regional rightward shift
Trump’s allies in Chile, Bolivia, and Peru are losing support, suggesting Latin America’s rightward turn may be less durable.
## Key takeaway

Lula's win in Brazil ends a regional trend toward right-wing rule and weakens Trump's influence in Latin America.