In pronouncement in a national network, the president defended the sovereignty of the country and said that Brazil has always been open to dialogue
The president (PT) He held, on Thursday (17) a statement in national network, where he called “blackmail” the announcement made by the president of, from 50% tariffs to products bought from Brazil. “We were surprised last week by a letter from the US President announcing the taxation of Brazilian products at 50%, starting on August 1,” Lula began. “We had more than 10 meetings with the United States Government, and sent, on May 16, a negotiation proposal. We expected an answer, and what came was an unacceptable blackmail, in the form of threats to Brazilian institutions, and with false information about trade between Brazil and the United States,” said the agent, saying that Brazil has always been open to dialogue.
On Trump’s allegations contrary to the former president’s trial, he stressed that Brazil has an independent judiciary and that the country respects due process of law, the principles of presumption of innocence, contradictory and broad defense. “Trying to interfere with the Brazilian justice is a serious attack on national sovereignty,” he criticized. Lula took advantage of the statement to extend the defense of Brazilian sovereignty to the Big Techs. “The defense of our sovereignty also applies to the performance of foreign digital platforms in Brazil. To operate in our country, all national and foreign companies are required to comply with the rules,” said Lula. “In Brazil, no one – no one – is above the law,” he continued. Earlier this Thursday, Lula said that Brazil will “charge tax from US digital companies” without detailing how this will be done.
The chief executive listed scams and crimes committed on the internet. “It is necessary to protect Brazilian families from individuals and organizations that use digital networks to promote scams and fraud, commit crime of racism, encourage violence against women and attack democracy, and feed hatred, violence and bullying among children and adolescents, in some cases leading to death, and discrediting vaccines, bringing back eradicated diseases.”
Check out the full statement of Lula
We were surprised last week by a letter from the US President announcing the taxation of Brazilian products by 50%, starting on August 1.
Brazil has always been open to dialogue. We had more than 10 meetings with the United States government, and sent a negotiation proposal on May 16. We waited for an answer, and what came was an unacceptable blackmail, in the form of threats to Brazilian institutions, and with false information about trade between Brazil and the United States.
We have an independent judiciary. In Brazil, we respect due process of law, the principles of presumption of innocence, contradictory and broad defense. Trying to interfere with the Brazilian court is a serious attack on national sovereignty.
Only a sovereign homeland is able to generate jobs, combat inequalities, ensure health and education, promote sustainable development and create the opportunities that people need to grow in life.
My indignation is even greater to know that this attack on Brazil has the support of some Brazilian politicians. They are true traitors of the homeland. They bet the worse, the better. They do not care about the country’s economy and the damage caused to our people.
My friends and friends, the defense of our sovereignty also applies to the performance of foreign digital platforms in Brazil. To operate in our country, all national and foreign companies are required to comply with the rules.
In Brazil, no one – no one – is above the law. It is necessary to protect Brazilian families from individuals and organizations using digital networks to promote scams and fraud, commit crime of racism, encourage violence against women, and attack democracy, and feed hatred, violence and bullying among children and adolescents, in some cases leading to death, and discrediting vaccines, bringing back eradicated illnesses.
My friends and my friends,
We are meeting with representatives of the productive, civil society and unions. This is a great joint action that involves industry, trade, the service sector, the agricultural sector and the workers.
We are together in defense of Brazil. And we will do it with our heads up, following the example of each Brazilian and every Brazilian who wakes up early, and goes to the fight to work, take care of the family and help Brazil grow.
We will continue to bet on good diplomatic and commercial relations, not only with the United States, but with all the countries of the world.
My friends and my friends,
The first victim of a world without rules is the truth. The allegations on Brazilian unfair business practices are false. The United States has accumulated for over 15 years, a robust commercial surplus of $ 410 billion dollars.
Brazil today is a world reference in the defense of the environment. In two years, we have already reduced deforestation of the Amazon. And we are working to clear deforestation by 2030.
In addition, the pix is from Brazil. We will not accept attacks on Pix, which is a heritage of our people. We have one of the most advanced payment systems in the world, and we will protect it.
My friends and my friends,
When we take office in the Presidency of the Republic in 2023, we find the isolated Brazil of the world. Our government, in just two and a half years, opened 379 new markets for Brazilian products abroad.
We are building business partnerships with the European Union, Asia, Africa and our neighbors from Latin America and the Caribbean.
If necessary, we will use all legal instruments to defend our economy. From resources to the World Trade Organization to the Reciprocity Law, approved by the National Congress.
My friends and my friends,
There are no winners in tariff wars. We are a country of peace without enemies. We believe in multilateralism and cooperation between nations.
But no one forgets: Brazil has a single owner – the Brazilian people.
Thank you very much.
*With information from Estadão Content
Posted by Sarah Paula
