Brasilia (AFP)

Meeting in Brasilia on Thursday, the leaders of the five Brics countries should condemn again protectionism at the end of a Summit marked a clear rapprochement between Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro and China.

In the context of a trade war between China and the United States, the final communiqué, expected at midday, could set the tone for future battles.

After holding bilateral meetings and attending an Investor Forum on Wednesday, leaders from Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa met Thursday morning at Itamaraty Palace to fine-tune this text.

On Wednesday evening, at the forum that attracted 500 business leaders from five countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that "protectionism and intimidation have undermined international trade and investment, plaguing the world economy," an implicit reference in the United States.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Brics were "aware that the global economic situation remains unstable and complex".

- Brazilian reversal -

Host for the first time at a major international summit, Jair Bolsonaro had to play the balancing act, between his concern for rapprochement with China, Brazil's first trading partner, and that of not offending his main ally on the international scene, United States.

"I'm not going into this trade war, Brazil is trading with everyone," the far-right president told reporters on Thursday morning before heading to the meeting with his Brics counterparts.

Fervent admirer of US President Donald Trump, with whom he is fully aligned, Jair Bolsonaro has changed his stance with respect to China since taking office in January.

Last year, during his election campaign, he attracted the wrath of Beijing accusing China of wanting to "buy Brazil".

But pragmatism took over and the Brazilian government quickly realized that it was vital to maintain relations with the Asian giant, which resulted in nearly 28% of its exports, including soy, meat and iron ore.

On Wednesday, the two countries announced a series of trade agreements and promotion of Chinese investments in Brazil. Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, for his part, spoke of "discussions with China on the possibility of a free trade zone".

Beijing has already invested or promised to invest $ 102 billion in Brazil from 2007 to 2018, first in commodities, then in industry, finance, energy and infrastructure, according to the Brazil Business Council. China.

- 5G in sight -

President Bolsonaro said Wednesday that China is "increasingly part of the future" of Brazil, while displaying its desire "not only to increase, but also to diversify" trade relations with Beijing.

Xi Jinping, for his part, spoke of a "promising future" for trade relations between China and Brazil, based on "increased mutual trust".

The two leaders had met three weeks ago in Beijing and President Bolsonaro had invited China to participate in oil auctions in early October, promising "a sea of ​​opportunity".

The auction, rejected by all majors, was a failure, but two Chinese groups have joined the public company Petrobras to exploit the two largest blocks having found takers.

But this honeymoon with China will be tested more than ever next year by the crucial choice of the operator of 5G networks.

If Brazil chooses Huawei, it will be a terrible affront to the Trump administration, which is campaigning around the world with its allies to do like it and prevent the Chinese group from participating in the construction of these mobile networks. at very high speed.

In July, Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao had already announced the color by saying that there would be "no veto for Huawei in Brazil".

© 2019 AFP