The president’s statement took place this Wednesday (3), during the ministerial meeting in Brasília
President Lula (PT) stated, this Wednesday (3), that it was caught by surprise by the ad. During a ministerial meeting at the Palácio do Planalto, the PT member declared that the country “can’t accept” the treatment of the North American government and reported that intends to send a new letter to President Donald Trump.
According to Lula, the Brazilian government did not receive an official communication about the new rates before the announcement. The president recalled in May, when he delivered four documents on topics such as combating organized crime e rare earth exploration. At the time, a period of 30 days was agreed for the trade ministers of both countries to resolve differences.
“At the last meeting, when I was there […] We had a three-hour conversation with Trump, and we delivered the issues that Brazil wants to discuss. When it came to the trade relationship, there was a disagreement between my minister and their trade minister, I proposed to Trump: ‘Since there is no agreement between the two ministers, let’s give them thirty days to come to an understanding’”.
Lula highlighted that this one-month period has not yet ended and that he expected a dialogued conclusion before new measures were taken.
“Nothing was concluded. That’s why we’re surprised at the decision to issue yet another statement, yet another taxation in relation to Brazil.”
The measures proposed by the United States come after investigations by US agencies. On Tuesday (2), a report concluded that 60 countries, including Brazil, failed to monitor goods produced with forced labor, which led to the proposal for an additional tariff of 12.5%. This surcharge must be added to another 25% rate announced on Monday (1st). If they come into force, the combined tariffs would reach 37.5%.
The president stated that he believed he had established a new phase in the diplomatic relationship after the delivery of strategic documents to the Trump administration.
“I left there convinced that we were establishing a new logic in the democratic and civilized relationship between Brazil and the United States. And I confess to you that I was taken by surprise yesterday with their decision yesterday, and the one before yesterday”, said Lula.
Criticism of Flávio Bolsonaro
The president also mentioned the existence of Brazilians who would be encouraging sanctions against their own country with the aim of obtaining electoral gains. Without mentioning names, in reference to statements by Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, Lula criticized the opponent’s stance.
“What an idiot like that doesn’t realize is that it’s the people who are being harmed, not Lula. In other words, asking for punishment from the country with the prospect of defeating a candidacy, or taking advantage, is so rude that I can’t find any other name, other than to say: in any other world, at any other historical moment, this would be called a betrayal of the country.”
In response, the Brazilian president reinforced that he intends to contest the measures through official channels and the international press, arguing that the fees are wrong and unnecessary for the global scenario.
“I’m still going to send another letter to President Trump. I’m going to write as many articles as necessary to write in the American press and the world press, to show that they are wrong, that they are mistaken, and that they are inducing the world to unnecessary violence.”
*Material being updated
