Trump to meet with Brazil’s president at Mar-a-Lago this weekend

President Trump will meet with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro this weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla.

The White House said Friday that the meeting would take place on Saturday and that the two leaders would discuss trade, Venezuela, the Middle East and other issues.

“President Trump and President Bolsonaro will discuss opportunities to build a more prosperous, secure, and democratic world. As leaders of the Hemisphere’s two largest economies, they will also discuss opportunities for restoring democracy in Venezuela, bringing peace to the Middle East, implementing pro-growth trade policies, and investing in infrastructure,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.

“The President will use this meeting as an opportunity to thank Brazil for its strong alliance with the United States,” Grisham added.

Trump told reporters earlier Friday morning that he would have dinner with Bolsonaro at Mar-a-Lago that same day.

“We’re having dinner at Mar-a-Lago,” Trump told reporters at the White House, confirming reports the two leaders were expected to meet this weekend. “He wanted to have dinner in Florida if that was possible, the president of Brazil. So, we’ll be doing that today.”

Trump confirmed the meeting while signing an $8.3 billion emergency funding package to combat the coronavirus.

In early December, Trump had threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on Brazilian steel. He backed off after a phone call with Bolsonaro later that month.

Trump did not specify on Friday what topics would be discussed this weekend.

The trip to Florida by Trump comes amid growing concerns about the global coronavirus outbreak. Brazil confirmed its eighth case of the virus on Thursday.

Trump is also scheduled to meet with supporters and deliver remarks at a private fundraising dinner Friday night while in Palm Beach.

–Updated at 10:47 a.m.