President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) criticized the attempt to use trade as a weapon, stating that the way to combat the measure is to reach understandings through dialogue and negotiation.
“The best response to the attempt to use trade as a weapon is to show that it is possible to reach mutually beneficial understandings through dialogue and negotiation. The relationship between Brazil and the Republic of Korea, two countries linked by strong human ties and business ties, is proof that trust and cooperation are worth it”, declared the president.
Lula spoke during the closing of the Brazil-South Korea Business Forum, in Seoul, this Monday (23).
The statement comes after United States President Donald Trump announced a new 10% global tariff on Friday (20) through section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 after the Supreme Court barred the use of IEEPA (International Emergency and Economic Powers Act).
On Saturday (21), he decided to increase it to 15%.
Before traveling to South Korea, Lula sent a message to the American leader: “I want to tell President Trump that we do not want a new Cold War. We do not want to have preference for any country, we want to have equal relations with all countries. We want to treat everyone on equal terms and also receive equal treatment from them with other countries”, he said.
The Brazilian president also defended an agreement between Mercosur and South Korea, highlighting the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union.
“Mercosur is making progress in trade negotiations with several countries. After two decades, we signed an agreement with the European Union, which created one of the largest free trade zones in the world. We now need to resume negotiations on a MERCOSUR-Republic of Korea Agreement”, stated Lula.
