REUTERS, Washington

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday that three hours of White House talks with US President Donald Trump had helped to stabilize Brazil-US relations that have been strained over Trump’s tariff policy.

The two leaders had been scheduled to take questions from reporters together in the Oval Office but did not appear, prompting speculation of a breakdown in talks amid Trump’s anger over Brazil’s prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

But Lula, speaking to reporters at the Brazilian embassy after a beef filet lunch with Trump at the White House, said he had asked for no press conference ahead of the meeting and reported progress in resetting ties.

“We took an important step in consolidating the Brazil-United States relationship,” Lula said. “It is important that the United States regain an interest in things happening in Brazil.”

Trump praised the “very dynamic president of Brazil” in a social media post that said the meeting with Lula had gone “very well.”

The two leaders discussed tariffs, trade, security, critical minerals and organized crime.

US and Brazilian trade officials agreed to talk in coming weeks to discuss what the Brazilian side described as an end to tariffs. Brazilian officials were happy with the outcome because establishment of the working group bought them some time on the issue of tariffs.