Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has vehemently criticised a new international initiative proposed by former US President Donald Trump. Lula described the plan as an alarming attempt to establish a "new United Nations" under the exclusive control of a single entity. Speaking in Rio Grande do Sul on Friday, the Brazilian leader articulated profound concerns regarding a perceived growing disregard for the existing UN charter. He warned of a dangerous erosion of multilateral cooperation on the global stage.
The controversial proposal, named the "Board of Peace," was unveiled by Trump at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. This announcement has ignited a significant debate, especially given the United States' increasing withdrawal from various UN bodies and institutions under Trump's previous "America First" foreign policy. Lula's strong condemnation highlights a burgeoning anxiety among many world leaders about the future of international governance and the potential fragmentation of global diplomatic efforts.
During his address, Lula passionately defended the core principles of multilateralism, lamenting that "the UN charter is being torn." He expressed his firm belief that Trump's initiative is not intended to reform or strengthen the current international framework. Instead, he suggested it aims to circumvent it entirely. "Instead of fixing the United Nations," Lula posited, "President Trump is proposing to create a new UN where only he is the owner." This sentiment reflects a wider apprehension that such unilateral ventures could undermine decades of diplomatic progress and exacerbate existing geopolitical tensions.
Adding a layer of complexity, Lula revealed he had recently spoken with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. During their telephone conversation, Xi Jinping reportedly underscored the indispensable role of the United Nations as the cornerstone of international relations. This alignment between Brazil and China on the importance of the UN highlights a growing convergence of views among non-Western powers. They are seeking to preserve the integrity of established global institutions against what they perceive as disruptive unilateralism.
The composition of Trump's "Board of Peace" has also drawn significant scrutiny. Notably, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been listed as a member. This inclusion is particularly contentious given ongoing international investigations and accusations of war crimes levelled against Netanyahu. Furthermore, tragic deaths of staff affiliated with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) have occurred in recent conflict zones. The inclusion of such figures in a body ostensibly focused on peace raises serious questions about its intended purpose and potential effectiveness.
Trump's approach, often characterised by social media diplomacy and a consistent promotion of protectionist trade policies coupled with implicit military threats, has already alienated many traditional US allies. The emergence of the "Board of Peace" appears to be a further manifestation of this disruptive foreign policy playbook. It signals a potential shift in how international challenges might be addressed, or perhaps ignored, in the future. The implications of this development are far-reaching, potentially fostering an era of heightened international instability and challenging the very foundations of collective security and cooperation that the United Nations was designed to uphold.