HANOVER, Germany – During a meeting at Germany’s premier industrial trade fair on Monday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised Brazil’s capacity to significantly increase production of essential metals while offering German technological assistance.
Speaking at the Hanover industrial exhibition alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Merz highlighted promising opportunities. “There are significant opportunities in the cost-effective extraction of certain metals required for e-mobility and wind turbines,” the German leader stated.
Merz emphasized his country’s readiness to collaborate, saying “Germany is prepared to support Brazil with technological know-how and expertise in order to further expand these relations.”
Through a translator, President Lula acknowledged Brazil’s growing investments in essential minerals and rare earth elements, but set clear conditions for future partnerships. “We will not accept any models that reduce our country to mere resource extraction, serving only to meet demand from abroad,” Lula declared.
The Brazilian president also expressed interest in strengthening military ties with Germany. “We are engaged in dialogue regarding strategic areas such as tanks, air defence and drones, as well as joint projects,” he explained.
Officials from both countries were scheduled to hold formal government consultations later Monday to discuss these partnerships further.
