Brasília, July 10 (EFE). – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced on Thursday that he will attempt to negotiate with the United States to reverse the 50% tariff announced by United States President Donald Trump, but if he fails, Brazil will impose the same tariff on US imports.
In a preview of an interview released on his social media accounts, the president demanded that Trump show respect for the Brazilian justice system after Trump came out in defense of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (2019–2022), indicted in the Supreme Court for inciting a coup.
“If President Trump knew Brazil better, he would have more respect,” Lula said.
The Brazilian president also announced the creation of a committee to which he will invite businesspeople to monitor the situation and rethink Brazilian trade policy with the United States.
On Wednesday, Trump announced an additional 50% tariff on imports from Brazil, effective Aug. 1.
Trump cited political motives, denouncing “the way Brazil has treated former President Jair Bolsonaro” and “Brazil’s insidious attacks on free elections and the fundamental free speech rights of Americans,” referring to the sanctions the South American country imposed on social media companies.
Lula reiterated that, contrary to Trump’s claims, the bilateral trade balance has shown surpluses in favor of the US for the past 15 years.
He indicated that he will try to negotiate and that he may appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO). If all else fails, he will apply the principle of reciprocity and impose 50% tariffs on US imports.
“What he cannot do is think that he was elected to be the sheriff of the world; he was elected to be president of the United States. He can do whatever he wants within the United States. Here in Brazil, we, the Brazilians, are the ones in charge,” he concluded.
In 2024, Brazil exported 40.3 billion dollars worth of products to the US, accounting for 12% of the country’s exports. EFE
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