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Brazil

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Brazil. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Brasília

Head of State

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Head of Government

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Brazil’s Minister of Social Development, Wellington Dias (centre), speaks at the United Nations General Assembly's high-level plenary session on Social Business, Youth, and Technology on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

China-Latin America relations

Exclusive | China-based Brics bank set for hunger alliance lead role this year, Brazil says

Brazilian minister Wellington Dias tells SCMP a fund to cut borrowing costs for the poor may launch by December as US marginalises the G20.

4 hours agovideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | What Xi’s letter to old friends in Iowa means in an altered America

25 Sep 2026 - 8:31AMvideocam

China exports

China has scrapped two-thirds of its planned coal power plants abroad: report

24 Sep 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

India

India backs new P4M forum, but can middle powers fix the UN?

Without early wins on climate or UN reform, analysts say the Partners for Multilateralism risks becoming a talking shop.

23 Sep 2026 - 5:30PM

India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, in September 2025. Photo: EPA

China-Latin America relations

Lula backs China peace push at UN, tells US that Brazil is ‘no one’s backyard’

Brazilian leader criticises tariffs and military pressure while demanding domestic benefits from foreign access to critical minerals.

23 Sep 2026 - 2:56AMvideocam

China trade

Once key economic weapon, US-China soy trade offers fragile relief from tensions

As the two nations address disputes ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, some American soybean farmers say they are in a better position than in 2025.

22 Sep 2026 - 5:00PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Brazilian serial killer suspect nicknamed ‘Mosquito’ dressed as a woman

Investigator reveals new details on suspect caught in a dress and wig carrying an unrelated baby after evading police for years.

22 Sep 2026 - 10:25AM

The suspect following his capture. Photo: Civil Police of Paraiba

Art

Bukhara Biennial spearheads cultural blossoming of the city as well as the wider Uzbekistan

With site-specific artwork displayed in restored or adapted historical structures, the inaugural Bukhara Biennial heralded the development of a cultural district designed for residents and visitors alike.

22 Sep 2026 - 8:00AM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Laysla De Oliveira, who plays Cruz in Lioness

The Brazilian-Canadian actress was discovered by a model scout as a teenager before securing her breakout role as the villain Dodge in Netflix’s Locke & Key.

21 Sep 2026 - 5:53PM

Vladimir Putin

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Far from being isolated, Moscow’s relationships across the non-Western world are a geopolitical constant the West cannot break.

19 Sep 2026 - 12:00PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin waves while boarding a plane upon his departure from India on September 13. Photo: Kremlin/Sputnik/EPA

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump signs bill targeting China’s Russia energy imports days before Xi’s US visit

US president gives backing to ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

19 Sep 2026 - 6:59AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump displays signed orders during a dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Friday. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

US trade chief pressed Brazil to review Anglo American nickel sale to China

Jamieson Greer asked Brasilia to curb ‘non-market’ buyers of critical minerals in exchange for relief from Trump’s tariffs.

18 Sep 2026 - 5:29AMvideocam

US-China relations

China pushes back against US sanctions bill targeting Russia’s top energy buyers

Beijing braces as US House clears ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

17 Sep 2026 - 8:42PMvideocam

Brics

Brics pivots to pragmatic de-dollarisation via payment links: analysts

Analysts say lack of movement towards a common currency reflects a more pragmatic approach to reducing reliance on US dollar.

15 Sep 2026 - 10:01AM

The venue for the Brics summit in New Delhi. Photo: AP

US-China relations

J.D. Vance group courted Brazil opposition candidate for anti-China deal: report

Senator’s logo appears on a plan to trade rare earths and position against Beijing in exchange for support on his presidential bid.

13 Sep 2026 - 7:01AM

Senator and right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro is seen during a rally in Brazil on August 17. Photo: AFP

Brics

Internal splits threaten to slow Brics’ progress as bloc marks 20th anniversary

The grouping has emerged as a strong champion of the Global South, but analysts warned that major challenges still lie ahead.

12 Sep 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Brics

Editorial | Brics summit could emerge as milestone in bloc’s unity

The expected meeting between the leaders of China and India on the sidelines of the multilateral summit bodes well for stability in Asia.

12 Sep 2026 - 7:15AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro under investigation over alleged corruption

The probe stems from questions over an investment Bolsonaro allegedly solicited from Daniel Vorcaro, owner of failed lender Banco Master.

11 Sep 2026 - 11:45PM

Brazilian right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, of the Liberal Party (PL) at a campaign rally in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

China-India relations

Xi in India, bank capital injections, EU-China trade

This week: Xi heads to India for Brics summit, state-owned banks and insurers get 360 billion yuan capital boost and China shows willingness to broker Trump-Kim summit. Next week: EU’s Von der Leyen delivers annual address as China trade deadline looms, defence officials attend Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Fed may raise interest rates, lanterns light up Hong Kong and more.

11 Sep 2026 - 5:00PM

China-Latin America relations

Brazil scraps tax on small parcels as Chinese platforms lose US and EU access

Congress cleared the measure days before it expired, handing Shein, Shopee and AliExpress a tariff-free lane into Latin America’s largest economy.

10 Sep 2026 - 5:49AM

China food security

Why China’s sugar stockpiles may blunt an El Nino-fuelled global supply crunch

The major sugar importer is expected to lean on strong domestic supplies amid soaring international prices.

8 Sep 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

Farmers harvest sugarcane on March 18 in Guangzhou, China’s Guangdong province. Photo: Getty Images

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong seizes HK$1.4b suspected drugs over summer as cartels target students

Customs says 150 people aged between 18 and 68 arrested and 6.1 tonnes of suspected drugs seized between May and August.

8 Sep 2026 - 10:46PM

Drug seizures at the airport between May and August jumped by 80 per cent to 3.3 tonnes compared with the same period last year, while the number of arrests rose to 134, a nearly twofold increase. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Donald Trump

White House video games depict migrant captures, building border wall

Five online games promote President Donald Trump’s agenda, drawing sharp criticism from rights groups.

4 Sep 2026 - 1:55PM

Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Hong Kong considers DNA testing amid concerns over ‘fighting dog’ classification

Authorities studying use of genetic testing to identify breeds, but physical characteristics remain key to classification.

3 Sep 2026 - 2:16PM

Banking & finance

Citi boosts headcount, Invesco names new executive in Asia expansion

US financial firms Citigroup and Invesco are continuing to expand in Asia even amid geopolitical uncertainties.

1 Sep 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

A Citibank building in New York. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

Brazil’s China borrowing, Colombia quake aid: 7 Latin America relations reads

From corruption allegations to US sanctions and Trump allegations, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in August 2026.

31 Aug 2026 - 10:00PM

Rescue teams work at the site of the Limonar Tower, which collapsed during an earthquake in Cali, Colombia, in August. Photo: Reuters

China-Latin America relations

Why Brazil’s rare earths will not break China’s magnet grip at least until 2032

Despite vast reserves, Brazil lacks the processing capacity and commercial plants needed to turn its own raw materials into magnets.

28 Aug 2026 - 3:33AMvideocam

Alibaba

Alibaba pushes into South America’s AI market with launch of Brazil data centres

The Chinese tech giant is rapidly building AI infrastructure in emerging markets amid an intensifying US-China tech rivalry.

27 Aug 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

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Brazil

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | China-based Brics bank set for hunger alliance lead role this year, Brazil says

Brazilian minister Wellington Dias tells SCMP a fund to cut borrowing costs for the poor may launch by December as US marginalises the G20.

In Focus | What Xi’s letter to old friends in Iowa means in an altered America

China has scrapped two-thirds of its planned coal power plants abroad: report

India backs new P4M forum, but can middle powers fix the UN?

Without early wins on climate or UN reform, analysts say the Partners for Multilateralism risks becoming a talking shop.

Lula backs China peace push at UN, tells US that Brazil is ‘no one’s backyard’

Brazilian leader criticises tariffs and military pressure while demanding domestic benefits from foreign access to critical minerals.

Once key economic weapon, US-China soy trade offers fragile relief from tensions

As the two nations address disputes ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, some American soybean farmers say they are in a better position than in 2025.

Brazilian serial killer suspect nicknamed ‘Mosquito’ dressed as a woman

Investigator reveals new details on suspect caught in a dress and wig carrying an unrelated baby after evading police for years.

Bukhara Biennial spearheads cultural blossoming of the city as well as the wider Uzbekistan

With site-specific artwork displayed in restored or adapted historical structures, the inaugural Bukhara Biennial heralded the development of a cultural district designed for residents and visitors alike.

Meet Laysla De Oliveira, who plays Cruz in Lioness

The Brazilian-Canadian actress was discovered by a model scout as a teenager before securing her breakout role as the villain Dodge in Netflix’s Locke & Key.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Far from being isolated, Moscow’s relationships across the non-Western world are a geopolitical constant the West cannot break.

Trump signs bill targeting China’s Russia energy imports days before Xi’s US visit

US president gives backing to ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

US trade chief pressed Brazil to review Anglo American nickel sale to China

Jamieson Greer asked Brasilia to curb ‘non-market’ buyers of critical minerals in exchange for relief from Trump’s tariffs.

China pushes back against US sanctions bill targeting Russia’s top energy buyers

Beijing braces as US House clears ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

Brics pivots to pragmatic de-dollarisation via payment links: analysts

Analysts say lack of movement towards a common currency reflects a more pragmatic approach to reducing reliance on US dollar.

J.D. Vance group courted Brazil opposition candidate for anti-China deal: report

Senator’s logo appears on a plan to trade rare earths and position against Beijing in exchange for support on his presidential bid.

Internal splits threaten to slow Brics’ progress as bloc marks 20th anniversary

The grouping has emerged as a strong champion of the Global South, but analysts warned that major challenges still lie ahead.

Editorial | Brics summit could emerge as milestone in bloc’s unity

The expected meeting between the leaders of China and India on the sidelines of the multilateral summit bodes well for stability in Asia.

Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro under investigation over alleged corruption

The probe stems from questions over an investment Bolsonaro allegedly solicited from Daniel Vorcaro, owner of failed lender Banco Master.

Xi in India, bank capital injections, EU-China trade

Brazil scraps tax on small parcels as Chinese platforms lose US and EU access

Congress cleared the measure days before it expired, handing Shein, Shopee and AliExpress a tariff-free lane into Latin America’s largest economy.

Why China’s sugar stockpiles may blunt an El Nino-fuelled global supply crunch

The major sugar importer is expected to lean on strong domestic supplies amid soaring international prices.

Hong Kong seizes HK$1.4b suspected drugs over summer as cartels target students

Customs says 150 people aged between 18 and 68 arrested and 6.1 tonnes of suspected drugs seized between May and August.

White House video games depict migrant captures, building border wall

Five online games promote President Donald Trump’s agenda, drawing sharp criticism from rights groups.

Hong Kong considers DNA testing amid concerns over ‘fighting dog’ classification

Authorities studying use of genetic testing to identify breeds, but physical characteristics remain key to classification.

Citi boosts headcount, Invesco names new executive in Asia expansion

US financial firms Citigroup and Invesco are continuing to expand in Asia even amid geopolitical uncertainties.

Brazil’s China borrowing, Colombia quake aid: 7 Latin America relations reads

From corruption allegations to US sanctions and Trump allegations, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in August 2026.

Why Brazil’s rare earths will not break China’s magnet grip at least until 2032

Despite vast reserves, Brazil lacks the processing capacity and commercial plants needed to turn its own raw materials into magnets.

Alibaba pushes into South America’s AI market with launch of Brazil data centres

The Chinese tech giant is rapidly building AI infrastructure in emerging markets amid an intensifying US-China tech rivalry.

Exclusive | China-based Brics bank set for hunger alliance lead role this year, Brazil says

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia