Brasilia, July 10: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has strongly pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, stating that Brazil “will not accept any form of tutelage” or foreign interference in its domestic affairs.
Trump’s proposed tariff was shared via social media, in which he accused Brazil of targeting U.S. tech firms and supporting a so-called “witch hunt” against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro is currently facing legal proceedings over his alleged involvement in a plot to overturn the 2022 election results.
Responding firmly on X (formerly Twitter), Lula emphasized that Brazil is a sovereign nation governed by independent institutions. “The judicial proceedings related to the attempted coup fall solely under the jurisdiction of Brazil’s judiciary and are not subject to foreign threats or interference,” he stated.
Lula also defended Brazil’s stance on digital regulation, noting that Brazilian society stands firmly against hate speech, racism, child pornography, fraud, and threats to democratic freedoms. “Freedom of expression must not be confused with violence or aggression,” he added, asserting that both domestic and foreign companies must respect Brazilian laws to operate in the country.
Countering Trump’s economic claims, Lula called the U.S. trade deficit allegation “inaccurate,” citing U.S. government data showing a $410 billion surplus in goods and services trade with Brazil over the past 15 years.
Any unilateral action, including tariff hikes, will be met with reciprocal measures under Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law, Lula warned. “Sovereignty, mutual respect, and the unwavering defence of the Brazilian people’s interests guide our international relations,” he concluded.
