The president of the Progressive Union Federation, Antonio Rueda, said on Friday (25), during the Expert XP 2025that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) must take protagonism in search of a solution to the tariff crisis with the United States. For Rueda, international statements made by Lula contributed to the aggravation of the conflict with President Donald Trump, who announced a 50% rate on Brazilian products.
“This theme worries me a lot. It worries the whole union and worries me Brazil,” said Rueda, referring to the elevation of American tariffs. “The driving has to be with dialogue. But the first person who should dialogue is the President of the Republic. He should take the phone, call Trump and say, ‘I want to dialogue.’
“Harmful posture to the country”
Rueda spared no criticism of Lula’s international performance, stating that the Brazilian president “provoked” and “instigated” the current situation. According to him, postures of the petista in international episodes, such as support to Russia in the Ukraine war and sympathetic statements to Hamas, have worn out Brazil’s image in the West.
“While the western world defended Ukraine, the president went there to defend Russia. He went there to clap Hamas. This has a cost. You can’t imagine it will be beaten,” said the party leader. Rueda also cited Lula’s support for the proposal for the dedolarization of global trade as a factor that would have bothered the White House.
“Trump does not act alone”
Rueda pondered that Trump’s aggressive trade policy is not limited to Brazil, citing similar measures against old partners such as Canada and China. However, it assessed that Brazil was hit harder. “Brazil had a heavier hand. We know Trump, he was already president. He is a consolidated character,” he said.
For the President of the Progressive Union, it is essential that the Brazilian government fails to treat the crisis with electoral bias and seek an immediate diplomatic exit. “We can’t think of political dividends. This is bad for Brazil. Everyone can help, but this role is from the President of the Republic. He runs the country and has to dialogue,” he concluded.
