Lula: Brazil’s Democracy and Sovereignty Are Not Negotiable; US Tariff Hikes Are Politically Motivated

In a bylined article published in The New York Times on the 14th local time, Brazilian President Lula stated that Brazil is willing to negotiate with the United States on any issue that can achieve mutual benefits, but Brazil’s democracy and sovereignty are not up for negotiation.

Lula first criticized the Trump administration’s imposition of a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods. He stated that while the US push for job回流 and reindustrialization is understandable, taking unilateral actions against other countries is “prescribing the wrong medicine.” Imposing tariffs on Brazil is “misguided” and “illogical.” He pointed out that the US has accumulated a trade surplus of $410 billion with Brazil over the past 15 years, and nearly 75% of US products enter Brazil tariff-free.

Lula argued that the US measures are economically unjustified and indicate political motives. Citing senior US officials, he claimed that the US government is using tariffs and the Magnitsky Act to seek exemptions for former Brazilian President Bolsonaro. On the 11th, Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court found Bolsonaro guilty of plotting a coup and sentenced him to 27 years and 3 months in prison.

Regarding US accusations about Brazil’s digital regulations, Lula stated that the Trump administration’s claim that Brazil’s judicial system targets and censors US tech companies is “wrong.” Lula said, “It is dishonest to call regulation censorship.” All digital platforms, domestic and foreign, are subject to the same laws in Brazil. The relevant laws aim to protect families from fraud, disinformation, and hate speech.

He also stated that the US government’s accusations of unfair practices in Brazil’s digital trade and electronic payment services, as well as failure to enforce environmental laws, are “equally baseless.”

Lula emphasized that when the US turns its back on a relationship with Brazil that has lasted for over 200 years, everyone loses. Cooperation between the two governments in areas of common goals should not be hindered by any ideological differences.