As President Donald Trump’s global tariffs are implemented, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva firmly opposes negotiating with the U.S. The South American leader has consistently criticized U.S. tariffs, viewing them as an act of intimidation.
“The day my intuition tells me Trump is ready for dialogue, I will not hesitate to reach out,” Lula stated to Reuters. “But currently, my intuition suggests he is uninterested in discussion. I refuse to demean myself.”
More than 60 nations and the European Union faced new tariffs just after midnight on Thursday. While the baseline rate stands at 10%, certain countries, such as Brazil, incur additional charges that elevate the overall tariff to 50%.
In the past, Lula slammed Trump’s tariffs as “unacceptable blackmail.”
Bolsonaro, who was defeated by Lula in 2022, is currently under house arrest due to ongoing legal proceedings over his alleged attempt to overturn the results of the country’s presidential election.
Brazil’s president is evidently unafraid of initiating negotiations with Trump. He mentioned that there were no pending reciprocal tariffs, yet Lula informed Reuters of his intention to contact the leaders of BRICS member nations to contemplate a coordinated response to the U.S.
Moreover, Lula revealed to Reuters that Brazil is considering joining other countries in a collective complaint at the World Trade Organization.
