Brazilian President Promotes Biofuels in Germany, Urging Europe to Overcome Prejudices and Deepen Cooperation
Brazilian President Lula vigorously promoted his country's biofuels in Germany, urging the EU to abandon prejudices and deepen cooperation. He dubbed Brazil the 'Saudi Arabia of biofuels,' highlighting its sustainable production capabilities and contribution to energy transition, and announced the advancement of trade agreements and accords in AI, defense, and other sectors.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 09:00
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tang Ya-ling, Sao Paulo, 20th) Brazilian President Lula today at the Hannover Messe in Germany and during bilateral economic meetings, vigorously promoted Brazil's biofuels, describing Brazil as having the potential to become the 'Saudi Arabia of biofuels.' He also called on Europe to overcome its prejudices against Brazilian fuels and deepen bilateral cooperation.
Germany was the second stop of Lula's (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva) European tour. He first arrived in Barcelona, Spain on the 17th, then proceeded to Hannover and Berlin in Germany, with the final stop being Lisbon, Portugal. The main objective of Lula's trip was to deepen economic and trade cooperation between South America and Europe, and to gain recognition from the European market by promoting Brazil's biofuels and energy transition policies.
CNN Brazil reported that Lula pointed out during the meeting that Brazil has accumulated comprehensive experience since the 1970s with its alcohol fuel program. Currently, gasoline is mixed with 30% ethanol and diesel with 15% biodiesel, and there are even trucks that can run entirely on biodiesel. He emphasized that Brazil has 40 million hectares of degraded land available for reuse, which would not compete with food production, and claimed that Amazon deforestation has been reduced by 50% during his tenure.
In live tests conducted in Germany, Brazilian biodiesel reduced carbon dioxide emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil fuels when used in German trucks. Lula used this to refute doubts from some Europeans about Brazilian fuels, emphasizing that biofuels are a necessary option for global decarbonization.
Lula also criticized the EU's ongoing deliberation to restrict the use of palm oil and soybean biodiesel, believing this move would harm Brazilian exports. He showcased samples of Brazilian biofuels at the venue and urged European companies to acknowledge Brazil's sustainable production model.
At the bilateral economic meeting, Lula called Germany an 'indispensable partner for Brazil,' noting that while bilateral trade has reached 21 billion US dollars, there is still room for improvement. He urged the swift promotion of the Mercosur-EU free trade agreement, set to take effect in May, and highlighted investment opportunities in Brazil's infrastructure, innovation, and energy transition.
Ricardo Alban, President of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) of Brazil, stated that Brazil can not only provide biofuels but also possesses critical mineral resources, expressing willingness to develop a complete industrial chain with Germany. He estimated that with the agreement's entry into force, bilateral trade could double to 40 billion US dollars within five years.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded that biofuels will play an important role over the next 20 to 30 years, as more than a billion internal combustion engine vehicles worldwide still need to decarbonize. He believes that Brazil's mass production capacity and renewable energy advantages will make bilateral cooperation more strategically significant.
In addition to promoting energy cooperation, Lula also announced new agreements in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, defense, and infrastructure, underscoring Brazil's desire to play a more active role in global energy transition and technological innovation. (Edited by Tian Rui-hua) 1150421
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(Central News Agency reporter Tang Ya-ling, Sao Paulo, 20th) Brazilian President Lula today at the Hannover Messe in Germany and during bilateral economic meetings, vigorously promoted Brazil's biofuels, describing Brazil as having the potential to become the 'Saudi Arabia of biofuels.' He also called on Europe to overcome its prejudices against Brazilian fuels and deepen bilateral cooperation.
Germany was the second stop of Lula's (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva) European tour. He first arrived in Barcelona, Spain on the 17th, then proceeded to Hannover and Berlin in Germany, with the final stop being Lisbon, Portugal. The main objective of Lula's trip was to deepen economic and trade cooperation between South America and Europe, and to gain recognition from the European market by promoting Brazil's biofuels and energy transition policies.
CNN Brazil reported that Lula pointed out during the meeting that Brazil has accumulated comprehensive experience since the 1970s with its alcohol fuel program. Currently, gasoline is mixed with 30% ethanol and diesel with 15% biodiesel, and there are even trucks that can run entirely on biodiesel. He emphasized that Brazil has 40 million hectares of degraded land available for reuse, which would not compete with food production, and claimed that Amazon deforestation has been reduced by 50% during his tenure.
In live tests conducted in Germany, Brazilian biodiesel reduced carbon dioxide emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil fuels when used in German trucks. Lula used this to refute doubts from some Europeans about Brazilian fuels, emphasizing that biofuels are a necessary option for global decarbonization.
Lula also criticized the EU's ongoing deliberation to restrict the use of palm oil and soybean biodiesel, believing this move would harm Brazilian exports. He showcased samples of Brazilian biofuels at the venue and urged European companies to acknowledge Brazil's sustainable production model.
At the bilateral economic meeting, Lula called Germany an 'indispensable partner for Brazil,' noting that while bilateral trade has reached 21 billion US dollars, there is still room for improvement. He urged the swift promotion of the Mercosur-EU free trade agreement, set to take effect in May, and highlighted investment opportunities in Brazil's infrastructure, innovation, and energy transition.
Ricardo Alban, President of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) of Brazil, stated that Brazil can not only provide biofuels but also possesses critical mineral resources, expressing willingness to develop a complete industrial chain with Germany. He estimated that with the agreement's entry into force, bilateral trade could double to 40 billion US dollars within five years.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded that biofuels will play an important role over the next 20 to 30 years, as more than a billion internal combustion engine vehicles worldwide still need to decarbonize. He believes that Brazil's mass production capacity and renewable energy advantages will make bilateral cooperation more strategically significant.
In addition to promoting energy cooperation, Lula also announced new agreements in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, defense, and infrastructure, underscoring Brazil's desire to play a more active role in global energy transition and technological innovation. (Edited by Tian Rui-hua) 1150421
Choose to stand with facts; your sponsorship protects press freedom.
Download Central News Agency's 'Firsthand News' App for real-time updates.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or utilized without authorization.