According to former minister, president gave in to political pressure by sanctioning taxes on international purchases
(PT) said, this Wednesday (May 13, 2026), that the president (PT) “corrected course” when reviewing the so-called blouse fee. According to the former minister, Lula was always against the measure, but ended up giving in to pressure from governors and congressmen in favor of taxing international purchases.
“The president did what he would have liked to have done from the beginning”said Haddad in an interview with journalists at the event promoted by Rights Já! Forum for Democracy, in São Paulo.
Haddad was one of the members of the government who initially publicly defended the taxation of international purchases of up to US$50. During the proposal’s processing, he argued that the charge would help to balance competition with national retailers and combat tax distortions.
When asked by journalists about what has changed now with the repeal of the tax, Haddad avoided answering directly and deviated from the topic.
According to the pre-candidate for the São Paulo government, Lula was forced to defend the measure after its approval in the National Congress, despite disagreeing with the proposal. “In the last 2 years, the president who was against it had to defend”, these.
Haddad said that the approval of the taxation took place under “unanimity” between governors and congressmen. He stated, however, that supporters of the proposal abandoned the debate shortly after the vote. “Unanimity disappeared the next day. Everyone disappeared from the debate”he stated.
The former minister also accused allies of former president Jair Bolsonaro of “hypocrisy” for having supported taxation in Congress and, later, defending its repeal. “His party voted in favor. Then they said they were going to revoke it”he stated, when quoting the senator (PL).
ABOUT THE EVENT
Haddad participated, this Wednesday (May 13), in a conversation promoted by Rights Já! Forum for Democracy, held at Casa de Portugal, in São Paulo. The meeting brought together politicians, businesspeople, academics and members of civil society to discuss democracy, development and the Brazilian political scenario.
The former minister was the first guest in a series of meetings with authorities and pre-candidates that will continue over the next few months.
