Brazil (TDI): Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva slams US President Trump over tariff threats, saying that Trump was elected as President of the US and “not to be emperor of the world.”
Last week, Trump threatened Brazil with 50% tariffs starting from August 1st and called for an end to the trial of right-wing ally Jair Bolsonaro.
In an interview on Thursday, Lula said that the tariffs have no “logic” and that he also believes there is no “crisis” yet between Brazil and the US.
The former President of Brazil, Bolsonaro, who has close ties with Trump and his family, is currently on trial for alleged efforts to overthrow Lula following his presidential win in 2022. He could face more than four decades behind bars if found guilty.
It is reported that Trump has labeled the trial as a “witch hunt” and called for its end. Speaking to the media, Lula said, “The judiciary branch of power in Brazil is independent. The president of the republic has no influence whatsoever.”
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Bolsonaro “is not being judged personally”, but “being judged by the acts he tried to organise a coup d’etat”, Lula added.
On Friday, Trump posted a letter to Bolsonaro on Truth Social, in which he mentioned that the former Brazilian leader was the victim of an “unjust system” and said that he would be “watching closely.”
Lula said that if Trump were Brazilian and if he did what happened at Capitol Hill, he’d also be on trial in Brazil. And possibly he would have violated the Constitution. According to justice, he would also be arrested if he had done that in Brazil.
Brazilian President also said that “Brazil will not accept anything imposed on it. We accept negotiation and not imposition.”
He also reflected on his willingness to negotiate and come to a trade agreement with the US. He said that the best thing is for us to sit and negotiate, and if Trump is willing to take seriously the negotiations underway between Brazil and the US, I’ll be open-minded to negotiate whatever may be necessary.
An IR student whose interest lies in diplomacy and current affairs and a part time debater
