Published 07/30/2025 13:58 | Edited 07/31/2025 11:34
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told the New York Times That Brazil “will not negotiate like a small country against a large country” in the face of Donald Trump’s threat to impose 50% tariffs on Brazilian products.
Was Lula’s first interview with the US newspaper in 13 years and, according to the NOWa gesture calculated to speak directly to the US public amid the worsening the diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
The articles published by the newspaper emphasize that Lula is today “possibly the world leader who challenges Trump” and highlight the recurring use of the theme of sovereignty in the discourses of the Brazilian president.
Since the Trump government has conditioned the end of the tariff measure to suspension of criminal proceedings against Jair Bolsonaro, Lula has reinforced that he will not accept external pressures.
“We know the economic power of the United States, we recognize the military power of the United States, we recognize the technological dimension of the United States. But seriousness does not require subservience,” he said.
The Brazilian president reacted firmly to Trump’s threats on social networks and classified the former US president’s stance as “shameful” and “out of every standard of negotiation and diplomacy.”
He said commercial and political disagreements need to be resolved with dialogue, not through ultimates.
“When you have a commercial divergence, a political disagreement, you take the phone, make a meeting, talk and try to solve the problem. What you don’t do is tax and give an ultimatum,” he said.
Lula also reiterated that the Bolsonaro case is not in negotiation, as the Brazilian court acts independently. “Perhaps he does not know that here in Brazil the judiciary is independent. The process has to go freely and without intrusion of politics in this process,” he said.
O NOW He detailed that Bolsonaro can take decades of arrest for an attempted coup of state after the 2022 elections and that he recently used electronic anklet by order of Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Court (STF).
Asked about the possibility that tariffs come into force, Lula said he does not fear Trump, but is concerned about economic impacts. He said he studies retaliation measures, but, if necessary, will seek other markets for Brazilian products.
“Neither the American people nor the Brazilian people deserve this. We will leave a 201 years of win-win relationship to a losing relationship,” he warned.
The president also said he asked for contact with Trump on several occasions, but the White House has not responded. “What you are preventing is that no one wants to talk. Everyone knows I have asked to make contact,” he said.
To the New York TimesLula stressed that he is ready for dialogue, but will not give up national sovereignty.
“In politics between two states, the will of none should prevail. We always need to find the middle ground. This can not be puffing out and shouting things that you cannot fulfill, nor lowering your head and simply saying ‘Amen’ to everything the United States want,” he said.
Source: vermelho.org.br
