Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that the country would not accept trade demands from President Donald Trump, describing recently announced tariffs as "unacceptable blackmail."
The comments come in response to Trump's recent announcement of a 50% tariff on Brazilian exports to the U.S., citing Brazil's judicial cases against former President Jair Bolsonaro and allegedly unfair trade practices.
"No foreigner is going to give orders to this president," Lula said, using the colloquial term "gringo," during a speech in Goiás. He later reiterated in a national TV and radio address that Brazil would not be intimidated, as Reuters reports:
"We expected a response [to our trade proposal], and what we received was unacceptable blackmail, in the form of threats to Brazilian institutions and false information about trade between Brazil and the United States"
The Brazilian government had previously submitted a tariff negotiation proposal to Washington in May. Lula stated that the U.S. did not respond constructively but instead issued retaliatory threats. Brazil has since opened discussions with industry leaders and is preparing reciprocal tariffs if talks fail.
Lula rejected Trump's claim that the tariff is justified by Brazil's treatment of Bolsonaro, who faces accusations of leading a plot to overturn the 2022 election, which he lost against the current president. Lula criticized Trump's demand to "free Bolsonaro," adding that the U.S. has maintained a trade surplus with Brazil for over 15 years.
The confrontation appears to have influenced domestic opinion. A Genial/Quaest poll conducted shows Lula gaining ground against right-wing opponents ahead of Brazil's 2026 presidential election. In a potential second-round matchup, Lula leads São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas 41% to 37%, and leads Bolsonaro 43% to 37%. Lula's approval rating rose three points to 43%, while his disapproval dropped from 57% to 53%.
Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira stated Thursday that Lula remains open to dialogue with Trump, though the two have not yet met. "If the circumstances are given, they will speak," Vieira told CNN Brasil.
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