Two days from Tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trumpenter into force, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reaffirmed to the American newspaper New York Timesone of the main United States, which Brazil will negotiate as a sovereign country and will not accept to participate in a cold war against China.
Asked by journalist Jack Nicas if he does not fear that his open criticisms have made President Donald Trump disrupt negotiations, Lula said there is no reason for fear, despite being concerned about the tariff due to Brazil’s economic, political and technological interests.
“But at no time will Brazil negotiate as if it were a small country against a large country. Brazil will negotiate as a sovereign country. In the politics between two states, the will of none must prevail. We always need to find a middle ground. This can not be poured the chest and shouting about things that cannot be done, nor simply saying ‘Amen’ to everything the US desires,” Lula said.
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The Brazilian president also said that if 50% tariffs have been applied because of the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro, then Brazilian and American consumers will end up paying more for some products.
“I think the cause does not deserve this. Brazil has a constitution, and the former president is being tried with full right of defense,” he said.
Former President Jair Bolsonaro is accused of leading an attempted coup d’état After losing the 2022 elections. According to the complaint, he pressured the military commanders to suspend the outcome of the election. Bolsonaro denies the accusations.
Lula said it is not possible to mix political issues with commercials, as Trump did.
“If he wants to have a political fight, then let’s treat her like a political fight. If he wants to talk about commerce, let’s sit down and discuss trade. But everything can’t be mixed,” he argued.
The Brazilian president justified that it cannot require, for example, that the United States suspend the economic blockade to Cuba to negotiate any other commercial requirement.
“I can’t do this out of respect for the United States, diplomacy and sovereignty of each nation,” he added.
Dialogue
The journalist of New York Times He asked why Lula didn’t call Trump to explain Bolsonaro’s situation. According to Lula, no one in Washington wants to talk.
“I appointed my vice president, my agriculture minister, my economy minister, so that each one can talk to his counterpart and understand what would be the possibility of dialogue. So far, it has not been possible,” he explained.
Lula reported that the government had 10 trade meetings with the American Trade Department and that on May 16 sent a letter asking for an answer.
“The answer we received was through President Trump’s website, announcing the tariffs about Brazil. I hope, therefore, that civility will return to the Brazil-It-Under relationship. The tone of his letter is definitely that of someone who does not want to talk,” he said.
Cold war
Questioned by New York Times About what Brazil will do if the tariffs come into force, Lula said that “it will not cry the spilled milk” and that the country will look for those who want to buy the Brazilian products. He also pointed out that he does not accept to enter a cold war against China.
“We have an extraordinary business relationship with China. If the United States and China want a cold war, we will not accept. I have no preference. I am interested in selling to those who want to buy from me, to those who pay more,” he said.
On Monday (28), China reported that “it is ready” to work with Brazil to defend a multilateral system of commerce centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and equity and justice. The Asian country criticized the 50% tariffs imposed by the US to Brazil.
