The odd couple? Lula rolls out red carpet for Macron in Brazil state visit

Ironically, leftist Lula wants to get a South America trade deal with Europe over the line. But free marketeer Macron wants to protect French farmers from what's denounced here in Europe as the globalisation of agribusiness.

Both do have a common foe in far-right leaders, like Lula’s predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, who has no qualms about chopping down the Amazon – or France's Marine Le Pen, who's quietly rooting for a return of Donald Trump to the White House. 

So where do common interests lie for the likes of Brazil and France?

Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Rebecca Gnignati and Juliette Brown. 

Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app