as the ideological opposites sought to smooth tensions. Leftist Lula, 80, who grew up dirt poor, and right-wing billionaire Trump, 79, have clashed before over everything from tariffs to Trump's bid to exert US dominance over the Americas. However, both men beamed in photos after a meeting that dragged long past its scheduled time, as they worked to find common ground on thorny issues affecting the two biggest economies in the Americas. "Just concluded my meeting with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the very dynamic President of Brazil. We discussed many topics, including Trade and, specifically, Tariffs. The meeting went very well," Trump said on his Truth Social network. Despite sometimes prickly diplomatic ties, Trump has often spoken warmly of the charismatic leftist. Lula said he was "very, very satisfied" with the meeting. "I always feel that a photograph is worth a great deal. And you surely noticed that President Trump smiling is better than him looking grumpy." (Bssnews)