Richard Feinberg suggests Trump policies may strengthen Lula

Richard Feinberg, a former senior director of Inter-American Affairs on the U.S. National Security Council and advisor to Bill Clinton, suggests that the policies of the Donald Trump administration may inadvertently strengthen Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Feinberg noted that Brazil has successfully managed economic negotiations by refusing to allow the United States to condition trade policies on political objectives. He praised the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) for acting with professionalism and firmness.

Regarding regional tensions, Feinberg addressed the “Donroe Doctrine,” a Trump-era concept described as a form of white nationalism intended for a domestic audience rather than foreign policy. He also commented on recent U.S. State Department messaging regarding Western Hemisphere dominance, arguing that cooperation between Latin America and Washington should not require the surrender of national sovereignty.