Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks through the opening of the sixtieth Congress of the National Union of Students, in Goiania, Goias state, Brazil, Thursday, July 17, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP
Mr. Lula’s feedback throughout a nationally televised speech had been the most recent in collection of tense exchanges between the leaders, with the U.S. president launching particularly blistering assaults on the federal government in Brasilia.
Mr. Trump introduced on July 9 his intention to slap steep tariffs on Brazil as punishment for what he termed a “witch hunt” towards his far-right ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro.
The United States has additionally mentioned it’s investigating Brazil’s “unfair trading practices,” and Brasilia mentioned it was dedicated to negotiations.
The tariffs on all merchandise from Brazil would kick in on August 1 if Brasilia and Washington don’t attain an settlement.
In his speech, leftist chief Mr. Lula slammed Brazilian politicians who again Trump’s insurance policies as “traitors to the homeland.”
He mentioned he would proceed “betting on good commercial and diplomatic relations” however warned: “Brazil has only one owner: the Brazilian people.”
Bolsonaro is going through trial over accusations he plotted a coup after his slim 2022 election loss to Lula. If discovered responsible, he might resist 40 years in jail.
Earlier on Thursday, Mr. Trump posted a letter addressed to Bolsonaro on his Truth Social platform wherein he insisted Lula’s authorities “changes course” and “stop attacking” his political ally.
“I have seen the terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unjust system turned against you,” Mr. Trump wrote to Bolsonaro.
“I have strongly voiced my disapproval both publicly and through our Tariff policy,” he added.
Mr. Trump additionally mentioned he was “concerned about the attacks on free speech” in Brazil and within the United States.
He seemed to be alluding to the suspension in Brazil of Rumble, a video-sharing platform fashionable amongst conservative teams, over its refusal to dam a person accused of spreading disinformation.
Trump’s intervention within the Bolsonaro case
Trump’s intervention within the Bolsonaro case has improved Lula’s recognition, who has appealed for nationwide unity within the face of U.S. “interference.”
Unlike the tariffs Trump is slapping on economies world wide, together with high U.S. allies, the measures towards Brazil had been introduced in brazenly political phrases.
Brazil had not been amongst dozens of commerce companions beforehand threatened with duties above a ten% baseline.
The United States runs a items commerce surplus with Brazil, which mentioned it had repeatedly requested that Washington level out areas of specific concern.
Brazil expressed “indignation” on the stiff proposed tariff in a letter addressed to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Published – July 18, 2025 11:17 pm IST
