Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sharply rebuked former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, emphasizing that Trump is the leader of the United States, not an “emperor of the world.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva responded assertively to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariff threats, underscoring the independence of Brazil’s judiciary and asserting that Brazil will not tolerate imposition from other nations.
Last week, Trump announced a possible imposition of 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods starting August 1, through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. He linked these potential tariffs to what he characterized as a “witch hunt” trial against Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former far-right president and a political ally of Trump.
Bolsonaro is currently facing trial in Brazil over allegations that he attempted to overthrow Lula following Lula’s victory in the 2022 presidential election. If found guilty, Bolsonaro could face a prison sentence exceeding 40 years for his alleged role in orchestrating a coup.
In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Lula criticized Trump’s actions as a departure from diplomatic norms, asserting, “The judiciary branch of power in Brazil is independent. The president of the Republic has no influence whatsoever.” He clarified that Bolsonaro is on trial for his actions, not personal vendettas, stating, “He is being judged by the acts he tried to organize a coup d’état.”
Bolsonaro has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
On Friday, Trump reiterated his support for Bolsonaro by posting a letter on Truth Social, suggesting that the ex-president of Brazil is a victim of an “unjust system.” He stated his intent to monitor the situation closely.
Lula went further by suggesting that if Trump had committed comparable actions to those of the January 6 Capitol insurrection on Brazilian soil, he would likely be facing trial. “If Trump was Brazilian and if he did what happened at Capitol Hill, he’d also be on trial in Brazil,” Lula remarked, reflecting on potential constitutional violations.
Expressing his disappointment, Lula shared that he initially believed Trump’s social media announcement to be fabricated, describing the situation as “very unpleasant.” He explained, “I thought it was fake news.”
In response to the threat, Brazil has declared its willingness to impose reciprocal tariffs should Trump carry out his plans, marking a significant opposition to Trump’s tariff initiatives.
Lula stated, “Brazil is to take care of Brazil and take care of the Brazilian people, and not to take care of the interests of others.” He emphasized Brazil’s stance on negotiation, declaring, “We accept negotiation and not imposition.”
This conflict surfaces in the context of the U.S. having a $6.8 billion trade surplus with Brazil last year. American exports to Brazil include prominent sectors such as aircraft, fuels, industrial machinery, and electrical equipment. A 50% Brazilian tariff in retaliation would severely impact these industries.
Despite the tensions, Lula remains open to diplomatic solutions and is hopeful for a resolution through dialogue. “The best thing in the world is for us to sit around a table and talk,” he expressed. Lula encouraged Trump to consider negotiations seriously, aiming for a reformed relationship beneficial to both nations.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government has escalated the situation by initiating an investigation into Brazil’s trading practices. This investigation will cover areas such as digital trade, electronic payment services, and intellectual property protection to determine if these practices are “unreasonable or discriminatory” and restrict American commerce.
According to the United States Trade Representative, the investigation will also evaluate issues regarding ethanol market access and illegal deforestation.
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