Lula & Sheinbaum in Canada: Diplomatic Talks
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mexican President Claudia sheinbaum both attended this week's G-7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada.
- Lula, a familiar face at the G-7, first attended in 2003 when the group began expanding its dialogues to include developing nations, responding to criticisms of exclusivity.He has...
- Lula has also championed the removal of agricultural subsidies by rich countries, wich Brazil views as unfair competition, and voiced support for a robust climate crisis deal, preceding...
Witness the G-7 summit through the lens of two prominent Latin American leaders. Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum converged in Canada, each wiht distinct objectives. Lula, a seasoned advocate for global south inclusion, renewed calls for climate funding and taxes on the super-rich. Sheinbaum, on her first G-7 outing, signaled a shift in Mexico‘s international engagement. Sheinbaum held bilateral talks with leaders from Canada, Germany, India, and the EU, showcasing a fresh approach to global partnerships. News Directory 3 provides in-depth analysis of this summit. Discover how these leaders are reshaping international diplomacy and what this new trajectory entails.
Lula and Sheinbaum at the G-7 summit: A tale of Two Latin American leaders
Updated June 20, 2025
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mexican President Claudia sheinbaum both attended this week’s G-7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada.
Lula, a familiar face at the G-7, first attended in 2003 when the group began expanding its dialogues to include developing nations, responding to criticisms of exclusivity.He has consistently used these appearances to advocate for a greater role for the global south in international politics. In 2003, he proposed a fund to combat world hunger, an idea that materialized in 2024 when Brazil hosted the G-20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Lula has also championed the removal of agricultural subsidies by rich countries, wich Brazil views as unfair competition, and voiced support for a robust climate crisis deal, preceding the Paris Agreement. This year, he suggested increased climate funding from wealthy nations to poorer ones and advocated for global taxes on the super-rich. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to attend the UN climate conference in Brazil in November, signaling support for Lula’s agenda.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought a meeting with Lula, a change from past criticisms of Lula’s attempts to mediate the Russia-Ukraine war. However, the meeting was canceled due to scheduling issues.
While Lula is a G-7 regular, this was Sheinbaum’s first summit. Mexico has been frequently invited as 2003, but Sheinbaum’s predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, never attended, reflecting his reluctance to travel abroad and diversify Mexico’s foreign relations beyond customary partners.
Despite a trilateral trade pact with the U.S. and Canada, Mexico-Canada relations became strained under López Obrador.According to former Mexican diplomat Arturo Sarukhan, Canada’s relationship with the U.S. and Mexico’s relationship with the U.S. will always take precedence over trilateral agendas.
Sheinbaum’s attendance marked a clear departure from López Obrador’s approach. she emphasized that “in an interdependent world, no country can isolate itself.” She held bilateral talks with leaders from Canada,Germany,India,and the European Union and spoke by phone with U.S.President Donald Trump after an in-person meeting was canceled.
Carney noted that Sheinbaum’s participation indicated that Mexico should be ”at the centre of international cooperation.” Sheinbaum gifted Carney a soccer ball decorated with Indigenous mexican art, celebrating the upcoming FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Carney added that all three co-hosting countries are aligned in their excitement for the “beautiful game.”
what’s next
Lula is expected to continue advocating for global south interests on the international stage, while Sheinbaum’s administration signals a more active role for Mexico in international cooperation and diplomacy.