Brazil's Lula Rejects Foreign Control Amid US Tariff Threat
Brazilian President Responds to US Tariff Announcement
Brasilia, July 10: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has decisively dismissed any notion of foreign oversight following US President Donald Trump's declaration of a 50% tariff on products originating from Brazil.
Trump revealed this initiative in a recent tariff letter shared on social media, where he accused Brazil of launching 'attacks' on American technology firms and conducting a 'witch hunt' against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under investigation for his alleged involvement in an attempt to overturn the 2022 election results.
Lula responded on X, stating, 'In light of the public remarks made by US President Donald Trump on social media, it is crucial to emphasize that Brazil is a sovereign nation with autonomous institutions and will not tolerate any form of tutelage. The judicial actions against those implicated in the coup attempt are solely under the jurisdiction of Brazil's Judicial Branch and are not open to external interference or threats that could undermine the independence of our national institutions.'
He further asserted, 'In the realm of digital platforms, Brazilian society stands against hateful content, racism, child exploitation, scams, fraud, and any rhetoric that undermines human rights and democratic freedoms. In Brazil, freedom of expression should not be equated with violence or aggression. All businesses, whether local or international, must adhere to Brazilian laws to operate in our country.'
Lula also contested the assertion of a US trade deficit with Brazil, stating that US government data indicates a surplus of $410 billion in trade of goods and services with Brazil over the last 15 years. He concluded, 'Thus, any unilateral tariff hikes will be managed in accordance with Brazil's Economic Reciprocity Law. Our relationship with the world is guided by sovereignty, respect, and a steadfast commitment to the interests of the Brazilian populace.'