Brazil's Runoff Election: Lula Defends Sovereignty, Bolsonaro Courts Washington

Brazil's presidential runoff election on Sunday centers on the country's relationship with the US, with leftist incumbent Lula da Silva defending national sovereignty and right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro aligning with Washington. Lula compared Brazil's resilience to the Vietnamese army's defeat of the US, while Bolsonaro, son of convicted ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, seeks closer US ties. The dispute involves raw materials, social media influence, and Brazil's independence, with polls showing the candidates nearly tied. Brazil holds the world's second-largest rare earth reserves, crucial for US tech and AI industries seeking to reduce Chinese dependence. Analysts warn a Lula victory could prompt US trade measures or influence expansion under drug-fighting pretexts, though military intervention is deemed unlikely.