Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has responded vigorously to US President Donald Trump’s threats of imposing a hefty 50% tariff on Brazilian exports from August 1. Lula remarked that Trump was elected to lead the United States, not to act as the “emperor of the world.”
Trump’s recent tariff warning on social media linked the issue to what he referred to as a “witch hunt” against Brazil’s former right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently on trial for allegedly trying to unseat Lula after his election victory in 2022. If convicted, Bolsonaro faces a potential prison sentence of over 40 years.
In an exclusive interview with CNN, Lula countered Trump’s comments by asserting that judicial processes in Brazil are independent and not subject to political manipulation, stressing that Bolsonaro is facing trial based on his actions related to the coup attempt. Lula went on to say that if Trump had acted similarly to Bolsonaro during the January 6 insurrection, he too would likely be facing a trial in Brazil.
Lula expressed his initial disbelief at Trump’s threatening post, calling it “very unpleasant” and stating that it seemed like “fake news.” Following Trump’s ultimatum, Brazil has indicated it may retaliate with its own tariffs, marking a significant challenge to Trump’s approach.
Lula emphasised Brazil’s sovereignty, stating, “Brazil will not accept anything imposed on it. We accept negotiation, not imposition,” and underlining the importance of taking care of Brazilian interests rather than foreign ones. He also pointed out that the US had a substantial trade surplus with Brazil last year, questioning the rationale behind the tariff threats when the trade balance had already favoured the US.
Despite the rising tensions, Lula conveyed his openness to negotiation and urged Trump to engage seriously in talks to resolve disputes. He noted, “The best thing in the world is for us to sit around a table and talk,” advocating for a collaborative dialogue to address issues affecting both nations’ relations.
In the backdrop of these exchanges, the US has initiated an investigation into Brazil’s trading practices, focusing on areas like digital trade and tariff preferences, amid escalating friction between the two nations. The outcome of these developments remains to be seen, as both leaders navigate their contentious relationship amidst broader trade and political challenges.