Lula slams Trump: Tariff threat deemed blackmail
Brazil Faces Bold Trade Action as COP30 Prepares
With a bustling workforce that keeps an open-air market alive seven days a week, Brazil’s vibrant capital is undergoing a deep transformation. The city is gearing up to host COP30 in November, marking the first United Nations climate conference held in the Amazon region.
Trump’s Tariff Threat Sparks Diplomatic Fire
- On July 9, Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 50 percent tariff on all Brazilian products.
- The tariffs would take effect on August 1 if the U.S. and Brazil do not reach an agreement.
- Trump cited a “witch hunt” against former President Jair Bolsonaro as the motive behind the trade action.
- Washington has also launched an investigation into Brazil’s “unfair trading practices.”
Lula’s Defiant Response
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered a televised speech that slammed Trump’s tariff threat as “unacceptable blackmail.”
- Lula called politicians who support Trump’s policies “traitors to the homeland.”
- He vowed to continue building strong economic and diplomatic ties while insisting that “Brazil has only one owner: the Brazilian people.”
Bolsonaro’s Legal Battle
Former President Jair Bolsonaro is on trial for allegedly plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election to Lula. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years in prison.
Trump’s Letter to Bolsonaro
Earlier Thursday, Trump posted a letter on his Truth Social platform addressed to Bolsonaro. He urged Lula’s government to “stop attacking” his ally and criticized the system that he said “has turned against” Bolsonaro.
U.S. Trade Clash Sparks Shift in Brazilian Politics
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has confronted former U.S. President Donald Trump over a wave of new tariffs that threaten Brazil’s export economy. The dispute has delivered a surprising boost to Lula’s popularity, as the trade showdown has prompted the Brazilian leader to call for national unity in the face of what he has dubbed “U.S. interference.”
Tariff Tactics Differ From Trump’s Global Approach
Unlike the blunt duties that Trump has slapped on the economies of many allies worldwide, the U.S. measures that now target Brazil were announced with a political tone that has heightened the stakes for the country’s trade policy. Brazil had not previously been listed among the dozens of partners that have been warned of duties above a 10‑percent baseline.
U.S. Trade Surplus Persists While Brazil Demands Clarity
The United States maintains a goods trade surplus with Brazil, but the Brazilian government has repeatedly sought to nudge Washington to pinpoint areas of concern. In response, Brazil expressed “indignation” at the proposed tariff in a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Free‑Speech Fears Add an Extra Layer of Tension
Trump also raised concerns about attacks on free speech in both Brazil and the United States. In Brazil, the controversy has pushed the suspension of Rumble, a video‑sharing platform popular among conservative groups, over its refusal to block a user accused of spreading disinformation. The U.S. intervention in the case, according to Lula, has improved the president’s standing by demonstrating decisive action against interference.
