President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) hardened the speech against US President Donald Trump by criticizing the decision to overcome Brazilian products up to 50%. During his participation in the 60th Congress of the National Students Union (UNE), this Thursday (17), in Goiânia, Lula called the measure as a direct attack on national sovereignty and said that Brazil will respond with the taxation of large US digital companies.
“We do not accept that no one gets into our internal affairs. Let’s answer as Democrats: charging tax from US digital companies,” he said. According to Lula, the answer will come within institutional landmarks, but firmly. “This is not now that I will accept gringo order. The world needs to know that this country is sovereign because the people are proud.”
The speeches occur amidst the escalation of the diplomatic crisis between Brazil and the United States, triggered by Trump’s letter that conditions the application of tariffs to the conduct of Jair Bolsonaro’s (PL) trial in the Federal Supreme Court. The attempt to interference caused a strong reaction from the Brazilian government and intensified the clash with the pocket opposition.
Political rhetoric
During the speech, Lula stressed that Brazil has been maintaining diplomatic relations with the US for more than two centuries, but accumulates a commercial deficit of $ 410 billion in the last 15 years. “We do not accept the idea that the president send an email saying that if we do not release Bolsonaro, he will apply a 50%rate,” he said.
The president also criticized the political use of the crisis for opposition. The speech took place in Goiás, a state governed by Ronaldo Caiado (União Brasil), one of the main allies on the right and named for the 2026 presidential race.
Lula took advantage of the event to comment on the investigations of the inquiry that investigates the attempted coup d’état after the 2022 elections. “This is the first time we have four -star generals arrested for trying to blow, with hints that they needed to kill Lula, Moraes and my deputy. These people will be judged,” he said.
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Regarding former President Bolsonaro, Lula said he will still be held responsible for conducting the pandemic. “It will be sued for the deaths caused by irresponsibility. Now ask for support from the United States. Those who embrace the American flag is a fake patriot. Who transfer the title and vote there.”
