The White House has sent a formal letter, dated 9 July 2025, from U.S. President Donald Trump to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marking the first known direct communication between the two leaders since Lula returned to office. In the opening passage released publicly, Trump highlights his prior dealings with former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, writing that he “knew and deeply respected” Bolsonaro, “as did most other world leaders.” Trump’s remarks make an implicit comparison between Bolsonaro’s administration and Lula’s, signaling a colder tone toward the current government in Brasília. Neither the White House nor Brazil’s foreign ministry immediately commented on the broader contents of Trump’s message or on any policy actions that may accompany it. The correspondence nevertheless underscores rising tensions in U.S.–Brazil relations and could complicate cooperation on trade and environmental issues ahead of upcoming multilateral meetings.