Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned that Brazil would retaliate against any US tariffs on Brazilian products, but expressed a preference for improved relations over a trade war. Lula also addressed global threats to democracy, the importance of climate action, and the need for fiscal responsibility.
Brazil ian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated on Thursday that if his US counterpart, Donald Trump , raised tariffs on Brazil ian goods, he would retaliate. However, Lula emphasized his preference for improved relations over a trade war . Brazil is among the countries Trump has threatened with higher tariffs. 'It's very simple: if he taxes Brazil ian products, Brazil will reciprocate in taxing products that are exported from the United States,' the 79-year-old Lula told a press conference.
Lula, serving his third term, expressed his desire to 'improve our relationship with the United States' and strengthen trade ties with Brazil's second-largest trading partner following China. 'I want to respect the United States and for Trump to respect Brazil. That's all,' he stated. Referring to Trump's remarks about reclaiming the Panama Canal or gaining control of Greenland, Lula asserted 'he just has to respect the sovereignty of other countries.'Lula further underscored the global threats facing democracy. 'For me, democracy is the most important thing in humanity right now... Either we keep democracy working or we will have states more authoritarian than Hitler and fascism.' Lula, whose nation will host the COP30 UN climate talks in the Amazonian city of Belem in November, criticized Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate accord as 'a step back for human civilization.' He expressed his desire for a summit where 'measures are approved, everything looks very nice on paper and then no country complies,' condemning wealthy nations for failing to fulfill their previous commitments to provide billions of dollars to assist developing countries in addressing the consequences of climate change. 'We want something very real so that we can know if we are serious or not about the climate issue.' Lula held a comprehensive press conference in Brasilia, encouraging journalists to ask challenging questions as his government strives to regain control of the narrative after confronting a surge of disinformation. Following emergency surgery to treat a brain bleed in December, linked to a prior fall, Lula affirmed his complete recovery and stated he possessed 'the energy of a 30-year-old.' With less than two years remaining in his third presidential term, Lula's approval rating has dropped to 47 percent, according to a Quaest poll released this week, with a notable decline in support from his core electoral base in Brazil's low-income northeast. Lula expressed that he was 'not worried' about opinion polls and dismissed concerns regarding high interest rates and public debt. As anticipated, the central bank raised the key interest rate by one point to 13.25 percent on Wednesday, despite the appointment of a new bank president by Lula, who has previously criticized interest rate hikes. 'The president of the central bank cannot make a U-turn in a stormy sea,' Lula said, adding that he had confidence in new bank chief Gabriel Galipolo who would have 'autonomy to do whatever is necessary.' Lula also aimed to alleviate anxieties surrounding government interventions to lower food prices and reiterated his commitment to 'fiscal responsibility.' His government is considering reducing import tariffs on certain goods, and he emphasized the need to provide more financing to accelerate production, stating he was developing a plan with banks for 'the largest credit program in the history of this country.' Concerns about Brazil's capacity to curb public spending in December resulted in its currency, the real, plummeting to record lows against the dollar
Lula Da Silva Brazil Donald Trump Tariffs Trade War Democracy Climate Change Fiscal Responsibility
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