Brazil’s Lula Says Trump Is Trying to Create a “New UN” as Global Politics Shift

Post by : Saif Nasser

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sharply criticised United States President Donald Trump, saying Trump is trying to create a “new United Nations” that he would effectively control. Lula’s comments came after Trump launched a new international initiative called the “Board of Peace,” which some world leaders fear could rival the role of the United Nations.

Lula made the remarks while speaking at a public event in Brazil. He said that, instead of working to fix the existing United Nations, Trump’s plan seems aimed at building a new global organisation with the U.S. at its centre. “President Trump is proposing to create a new UN where only he is the owner,” Lula said.

The “Board of Peace” was unveiled by Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump and other leaders signed the founding charter of the board, which supporters say is intended to help resolve conflicts and promote peace. However, critics have pointed out that membership requires a large financial commitment and that the board’s role is not clearly defined.

Lula defended the importance of multilateral diplomacy — where many countries work together — and warned against decisions based on the interests of one powerful nation alone. He said the current moment in world politics is “very critical,” with a shift toward unilateral actions that put the interests of one country above shared global decision-making.

His comments also follow discussions with China’s President Xi Jinping, who encouraged Lula to protect the central role of the United Nations in world affairs. Leaders from other major countries, including Russia, India, Hungary and Mexico, have also stayed in close contact with Lula to strengthen support for multilateralism.

Lula’s remarks reflect a broader debate about how international organisations should adapt to today’s global challenges. The United Nations was created after World War II to prevent war, protect human rights, and promote cooperation among nations. But recent moves, such as the creation of new groups like the Board of Peace, have raised questions about the future of global governance and whether traditional institutions still hold the same influence they once did.

Critics argue that diplomatic unity is needed now more than ever, as the world faces issues like climate change, conflict, trade tensions, and rising nationalism. Supporters of the current UN system say that shared decision-making brings smaller and larger nations together and helps balance power across regions. Lula’s comments spotlight these concerns and underscore the ongoing discussion about how global peace and cooperation should be achieved.