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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

Arkansas soybean farmer Randall Shelby says renewed US-China tensions risk pushing already struggling growers deeper into the red. Photo: Randall Shelby

US-China trade war

US soybean farmers fear China trade blowback as Trump ramps up pressure

With midterm elections approaching, growers worry Beijing may quietly curb purchases just as Trump seeks to shore up rural support.

2 hours agovideocam

Malaysia

7 Fifa-banned Malaysian footballers cleared to play after court grants stay

27 Jan 2026 - 3:33PM

History

His mother stuffed zebras. He broke the biggest story in Macau’s history

27 Jan 2026 - 12:00PM

China-Latin America relations

Xi to meet Orsi in first Latin America-China visit since US capture of Maduro

State visit from February 1 to 7 aims to promote commercial ties with Beijing despite tension in region after US operation in Venezuela.

27 Jan 2026 - 6:17AMvideocam

Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing next month. Photo: EPA

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese carmaker BYD chases 24% export growth with new models, more showrooms

Shenzhen-based company expects to sell 1.3 million cars this year outside mainland China.

25 Jan 2026 - 4:30PM

China-Latin America relations

Xi, Lula stress UN’s value in call as US actions unsettle regional diplomacy

China reaffirms commitment to international law, negotiated diplomacy in region, while Brazil eases visa requirements for Chinese nationals.

24 Jan 2026 - 5:31AMvideocam

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

As Trump shakes world order, Western countries recalibrate approach to China

At Davos, world leaders take veiled swipes at the US, while China frames itself as defender of the post-war system, analysts say.

23 Jan 2026 - 11:00PM

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Editorial | China-EU compromise over EVs bodes well for trade and overall ties

With the Trump administration turning aggressive towards allies and foes alike, Beijing and Brussels have more reasons to work together.

20 Jan 2026 - 7:15AM

Mainland China

Brazil beef exports seen as stable in 2026 as industry pivots beyond China

Beef lobby Abiec said volumes not sold to China could be redirected other markets.

20 Jan 2026 - 12:47PM

US-China relations

How narrowing China-US gap could reshape global power play by 2035

Political scientist Yan Xuetong predicts Beijing will be on ‘equal footing’ in strategic rivalry with Washington in the post-Trump era.

19 Jan 2026 - 11:44PM

China and the US have been working to keep the peace ahead of possible reciprocal visits by US President Donald Trump (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (right), shown here in Busan, South Korea, on October 30. Photo: AFP

European Union

South American bloc and EU sign long-awaited FTA amid Trump’s tariffs

The deal creates one of the world’s largest free trade areas after 25 years of tricky negotiations.

18 Jan 2026 - 7:56AM

A worker sets up the stage for the signing ceremony of the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur in Paraguay’s central bank in Asuncion on Friday. Photo: AFP

Brics

Testing the waters: is Brics evolving into a security alliance?

The first naval exercises under the ‘Brics plus’ banner saw Brazil, Egypt, China, Russia and South Africa take part. India did not.

17 Jan 2026 - 12:00PM

Jair Bolsonaro

Brazil’s Bolsonaro sent to prison with roomier cell, more perks

Ex-president moved to a detention complex five times the size of his current room, with a kitchen and a private outdoor area.

16 Jan 2026 - 2:37PM

Fame and celebrity

Who is Bruna Marquezine – and is she really going out with Shawn Mendes?

The Brazilian star of the movie Blue Beetle has been spotted out and about with singer Mendes – here is everything you need to know about her.

15 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM

Canadian singer Shawn Mendes and Brazilian actress Bruna Marquezine are rumoured to be an item. Photos: @shawnmendes, @brunamarquezine/Instagram

United States

US halts visas for 75 countries indefinitely; China not on the list

Trump administration pauses immigrant visa processing from January 21, affecting applicants worldwide while exempting key visa categories.

15 Jan 2026 - 3:43AM

The pause on visa processing will begin on January 21, and will continue indefinitely. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Brazil-China trade hits record US$171 billion in 2025 as US tariffs prompt pivot

The US is a distant second in trade volume with Brazil as Beijing helps soften the impact of Washington’s levies.

15 Jan 2026 - 3:19AMvideocam

Middle East

Trump urges on protesters in Iran as crackdown death toll surges

As Tehran accuses the US of inciting violence, Trump warns of ‘very strong action’ if Iran hangs protesters.

14 Jan 2026 - 3:12PMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

‘Expansion to defence’: China firms strategise in Latin America after Venezuela

After the abduction of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, many Chinese entrepreneurs in the region say they are staying put – for now.

13 Jan 2026 - 9:55AMvideocam

Asean

Opinion | Why US ops in Venezuela have shaken Asia-Pacific’s middle powers

Middle powers fear a return to ‘rules of the jungle’ geopolitics as rival powers carve out spheres of influence.

13 Jan 2026 - 1:31AMvideocam

Britain

UK launches probe into Musk’s X over Grok’s ‘disgusting’ sexualised AI imagery

UK regulator acts after users prompt AI to create sexually intimate deepfakes, fuelling fears of widespread image abuse on the platform.

12 Jan 2026 - 8:09PM

SCMP Highlights

China’s militarism call, Malaysia-Singapore border chaos: 5 weekend reads

From China’s underground engineering triumph to calls to curb Japan militarism, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

12 Jan 2026 - 11:59AM

China and the US should work together to thwart any plot to revive the spectre of militarism in Japan, according to a Chinese embassy official in Washington. Photo: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

US-Venezuela conflict

How the US raid in Venezuela has triggered Brazilian fury and a Chinese opening

Latin America’s largest economy seeks ‘delicate balance’ between Trump’s ambitions and boosting ties with Beijing, its top trading partner.

11 Jan 2026 - 6:04AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump says Colombia’s Petro to visit US, in U-turn from threats to diplomacy

Just days ago, Trump had issued a warning to the South American leader for criticising the US attack that removed Venezuela’s Maduro.

10 Jan 2026 - 3:59AM

European Union

EU agrees to ‘world’s largest’ free-trade zone with Mercosur pact after 25 years

The EU sealed the historic deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to form a 700 million strong bloc, defying fierce farmer opposition.

9 Jan 2026 - 9:59PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Brazil’s Lula vetoes law cutting Bolsonaro’s 27-year jail sentence

Congress has the last word, however, and can in turn reject the president’s veto.

9 Jan 2026 - 1:23AMvideocam

Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (left) vetoed a bill to reduce Jair Bolsonaro’s coup sentence on the third anniversary of the January 8 insurrection. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

Brazil’s Bolsonaro has brain injury after falling and hitting head in prison

The ex-president had a ‘crisis’ while sleeping in his cell, his wife said in a social media post.

7 Jan 2026 - 2:49AM

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro gestures after taking medical tests at DF Star hospital in Brasilia in August. Photo: AFP

War and conflict

Opinion | US attack on Venezuela tests moral clarity of the post-war world order

Amid Washington’s use of force, there is a sense that global affairs are drifting towards a modernised version of the law of the jungle.

5 Jan 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Venezuela crisis underscores China’s challenges in Latin America

Washington making an example of Maduro as a ‘warning shot’ would create a ‘chilling effect’ across Latin America, observer says.

4 Jan 2026 - 11:01PMvideocam

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Brazil

US soybean farmers fear China trade blowback as Trump ramps up pressure

With midterm elections approaching, growers worry Beijing may quietly curb purchases just as Trump seeks to shore up rural support.

7 Fifa-banned Malaysian footballers cleared to play after court grants stay

His mother stuffed zebras. He broke the biggest story in Macau’s history

Xi to meet Orsi in first Latin America-China visit since US capture of Maduro

State visit from February 1 to 7 aims to promote commercial ties with Beijing despite tension in region after US operation in Venezuela.

Chinese carmaker BYD chases 24% export growth with new models, more showrooms

Shenzhen-based company expects to sell 1.3 million cars this year outside mainland China.

Xi, Lula stress UN’s value in call as US actions unsettle regional diplomacy

China reaffirms commitment to international law, negotiated diplomacy in region, while Brazil eases visa requirements for Chinese nationals.

As Trump shakes world order, Western countries recalibrate approach to China

At Davos, world leaders take veiled swipes at the US, while China frames itself as defender of the post-war system, analysts say.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | China-EU compromise over EVs bodes well for trade and overall ties

With the Trump administration turning aggressive towards allies and foes alike, Beijing and Brussels have more reasons to work together.

Brazil beef exports seen as stable in 2026 as industry pivots beyond China

Beef lobby Abiec said volumes not sold to China could be redirected other markets.

How narrowing China-US gap could reshape global power play by 2035

Political scientist Yan Xuetong predicts Beijing will be on ‘equal footing’ in strategic rivalry with Washington in the post-Trump era.

South American bloc and EU sign long-awaited FTA amid Trump’s tariffs

The deal creates one of the world’s largest free trade areas after 25 years of tricky negotiations.

Testing the waters: is Brics evolving into a security alliance?

The first naval exercises under the ‘Brics plus’ banner saw Brazil, Egypt, China, Russia and South Africa take part. India did not.

Brazil’s Bolsonaro sent to prison with roomier cell, more perks

Ex-president moved to a detention complex five times the size of his current room, with a kitchen and a private outdoor area.

Who is Bruna Marquezine – and is she really going out with Shawn Mendes?

The Brazilian star of the movie Blue Beetle has been spotted out and about with singer Mendes – here is everything you need to know about her.

US halts visas for 75 countries indefinitely; China not on the list

Trump administration pauses immigrant visa processing from January 21, affecting applicants worldwide while exempting key visa categories.

Brazil-China trade hits record US$171 billion in 2025 as US tariffs prompt pivot

The US is a distant second in trade volume with Brazil as Beijing helps soften the impact of Washington’s levies.

Trump urges on protesters in Iran as crackdown death toll surges

As Tehran accuses the US of inciting violence, Trump warns of ‘very strong action’ if Iran hangs protesters.

‘Expansion to defence’: China firms strategise in Latin America after Venezuela

After the abduction of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, many Chinese entrepreneurs in the region say they are staying put – for now.

Opinion | Why US ops in Venezuela have shaken Asia-Pacific’s middle powers

Middle powers fear a return to ‘rules of the jungle’ geopolitics as rival powers carve out spheres of influence.

UK launches probe into Musk’s X over Grok’s ‘disgusting’ sexualised AI imagery

UK regulator acts after users prompt AI to create sexually intimate deepfakes, fuelling fears of widespread image abuse on the platform.

China’s militarism call, Malaysia-Singapore border chaos: 5 weekend reads

From China’s underground engineering triumph to calls to curb Japan militarism, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

How the US raid in Venezuela has triggered Brazilian fury and a Chinese opening

Latin America’s largest economy seeks ‘delicate balance’ between Trump’s ambitions and boosting ties with Beijing, its top trading partner.

Trump says Colombia’s Petro to visit US, in U-turn from threats to diplomacy

Just days ago, Trump had issued a warning to the South American leader for criticising the US attack that removed Venezuela’s Maduro.

EU agrees to ‘world’s largest’ free-trade zone with Mercosur pact after 25 years

The EU sealed the historic deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to form a 700 million strong bloc, defying fierce farmer opposition.

Brazil’s Lula vetoes law cutting Bolsonaro’s 27-year jail sentence

Congress has the last word, however, and can in turn reject the president’s veto.

Brazil’s Bolsonaro has brain injury after falling and hitting head in prison

The ex-president had a ‘crisis’ while sleeping in his cell, his wife said in a social media post.

Opinion | US attack on Venezuela tests moral clarity of the post-war world order

Amid Washington’s use of force, there is a sense that global affairs are drifting towards a modernised version of the law of the jungle.

Venezuela crisis underscores China’s challenges in Latin America

Washington making an example of Maduro as a ‘warning shot’ would create a ‘chilling effect’ across Latin America, observer says.

Editorial | China-EU compromise over EVs bodes well for trade and overall ties