SAO PAULO (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday invited Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira to meet in person soon in Washington as Brazil seeks an easing of U.S. tariffs, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry said.

The call followed a Monday phone conversation between Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Donald Trump, during which Lula asked Trump to lift a 40% tariff on Brazilian imports.

“Following a positive dialogue on the bilateral agenda, both sides agreed their teams would meet soon in Washington to continue discussions on economic and trade issues,” the Brazilian ministry said in a statement.

Rubio’s outreach marks a step toward easing tensions between the two countries exacerbated by the tariffs and U.S. sanctions on top Brazilian offi

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