President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) again criticized, on Monday (12), the “tariff” imposed by the United States under Donald Trump’s management, stating that protectionism threatens global trade and can generate conflicts. For Lula, multilateralism is the way to ensure balanced business relationships between countries.
“This is why I do not conform to the so -called tax that the president of the United States [Donald Trump] He tried to impose on planet Earth overnight, because multilateralism after World War II was what guaranteed all these years of harmony between states. It was not protectionism, ”said the president.
Lula made the statements during the closure of the Brazil-China Business Forum in Beijing, where he reinforced Brazil’s interest in expanding its exports besides the traditional fuel and fertilizers, also exploiting the soy and beef market.
The petista pointed out that protectionism in international trade can lead to conflicts, as has happened several times throughout history. “Protectionism in commerce can lead to war, as has happened so many times in the history of humanity. What we want is multilateralism so that we can practice free trade,” he said.
Lula’s criticism of protectionism coincides with the announcement of one imposed on products imported between the two countries. From May 14, the US will reduce its rates from 145% to 30% over Chinese products, while China will decrease its 125% to 10% rates on American products.
The agreement was reached after negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, and represents a truce in the trade war between the two largest economies in the world. For Lula, however, the episode reinforces the need to strengthen multilateralism and dialogue to prevent commercial disputes from evolving to larger conflicts.
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The Brazilian president continues to visit China, where he will also participate in Celac (community of Latin American and Caribbean states) and will have a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
