Brazil's Lula pledges retaliation to Trump tariffs but keeps diplomacy open
"We'll first try to negotiate, but if there's no negotiation, the law of reciprocity will be put into practice," Lula said in an interview with Record TV, citing a law Congress recently passed giving the president powers to retaliate against trade barriers. "If they're going to charge us 50, we'll charge them 50."
The president is unlikely to announce any retaliatory measures until the tariffs are implemented, said a Brazilian diplomat who requested anonymity to describe internal government debates. "We have until Aug 1," the source said.
In a letter to Lula published on Wednesday (Jul 9), Trump linked the tariffs to Brazil's judiciary launching legal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial on charges of plotting a coup to stop Lula from taking office in 2023 after hundreds of pro-Bolsonaro supporters stormed Congress. Trump said Bolsonaro was the victim of a "witch hunt."
Lula criticised Bolsonaro for perpetuating claims of legal persecution, stressing the former president's son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, took leave from his role in Congress at least in part to head a campaign in his father's favour in the United States.
"The former president of the Republic should take responsibility, because he is agreeing with Trump's taxation of Brazil. In fact, it was his son who went there to influence Trump's mind," Lula said.
In a social media post late on Thursday, Bolsonaro said Trump's letter announcing tariffs was received with "a sense of responsibility", adding he respects and admires the US government.
Bolsonaro argued the US measure was a reaction to Brazil's distancing from freedom. "This would never have happened under my government," he wrote.
The former president also urged the powers to act by presenting measures to restore what he called "institutional normality".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
25 minutes ago
- CNA
Brazil, Japan beef talks focus on smaller Brazilian states, upsetting industry
SAO PAULO :Ongoing talks to open the Japanese market to Brazilian beef are focusing on supplies from three small Brazilian exporting states, upsetting other parts of the South American country's industry that are eager to reach the high-paying customers, according to multiple sources. Brazil, the world's biggest beef exporter, has tried for two decades to crack the Japanese market without success. A deal would give Japan an alternative to its top suppliers, the United States and Australia, at a time when U.S. tariffs are reshaping global food trade. Negotiations gained momentum after a state visit of Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in March to Japan, one of the world's largest beef importers. But the current state of talks, which focus on states representing less than 4 per cent of Brazil's exports by volume, worries meatpackers in the big beef-producing states of Sao Paulo, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Para. Together, they accounted for nearly 60 per cent of Brazil's total beef exports, or 1.72 million metric tons last year. A Brazilian government memo, issued after a technical visit by Japanese officials in June, showed Brasília answered "a questionnaire for the import of beef from the southern part of the Republic Federation of Brazil," naming Rio Grande do Sul, Parana, and Santa Catarina. Those three small exporting states were declared free of foot-and-mouth, a contagious viral disease in cattle, earlier than the other states, although Brazil acquired in May the national status of being free of the disease without vaccination from the World Organization for Animal Health. Brazil's last outbreak of the disease was in 2006, according to the government. The Brazilian Agriculture Ministry did not have an immediate comment on its talks with Japan. A local government source, who asked not to be named, confirmed talks were taking place by region. The person said Brazil initially has no plans to negotiate permits beyond the three states. Beef sector representatives, including exporters, told Reuters they hope more states will be included. "We know talks are difficult," said Paulo Mustefaga, head of beef lobbying group Abrafrigo, which represents Marfrig and smaller beef exporters. "The surprise for us is that this is now moving towards approval for only three states." Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said it was aware of Brazil's status of being free of foot-and-mouth disease. It added that Japan is "conducting a risk assessment in accordance with Japanese procedures" ahead of issuing any export permits to Brazilian meatpackers, without elaborating.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Mexico set to discuss US tariffs with Canada as ministers visit
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox MEXICO CITY - Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he is set to speak with Canada's finance minister, who is visiting Mexico City, later on Tuesday about the two countries' experiences in dealing with tariffs imposed on goods shipped to the United States. "They want to know how Mexico is getting these results," Ebrard told journalists. Mexico was able to avoid 30% tariffs on its shipments to the U.S. set to come into force last week, securing a 90-day pause to work on a trade deal with the government of U.S. President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump slapped a 35% duty on many goods coming from Canada, hiking the rate from a 25% fentanyl-related tariff imposed earlier this year. "We're going to exchange experiences," Ebrard said. "They're paying a 35% tariff, and Mexico isn't." Mexico is still subject to the previously imposed 25% fentanyl tariffs, though goods sent under the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement - which are most of them - are exempt. Trump has said the U.S. would continue to levy a 50% tariff on Mexican steel, aluminum and copper and a 25% tariff on Mexican autos and on the non-USMCA-compliant goods. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum met with the Canadian finance minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne, as well as Foreign Minister Anita Anand, earlier in the day at Mexico's national palace. "We're strengthening the relationship between our countries," she said in a post on X. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Standing on White House roof, Trump jokes about installing missiles
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox US President Donald Trump responds to a question from the news media as he tours the roof at the White House. WASHINGTON - Mr Donald Trump made an unexpected appearance Aug 5 on a White House rooftop and joked about installing nuclear missiles at a time of escalating tensions with Russia. The US president, flanked by bodyguards and under the protection of snipers, strolled for 20 minutes on the flat roof above the press room as he looked across to the site of his proposed new ballroom. Asked why he was on the roof, he replied he was just 'taking a little walk.' Quizzed about what he intended to build, he joked 'nuclear missiles,' before appearing to mimic the launch of a weapon with his arm. The United States and Russia have engaged in heated rhetoric for several days. Mr Trump last week ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines near Russia in response to remarks he deemed provocative by former Russian president Dmitri Medvedev. US$200 million project With his planned ballroom and other projects, Mr Trump is determined to leave an imprint on the White House, drawing inspiration from the opulent style of his private properties. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore More train rides taken in first half-year, but overall public transport use stays below 2019 levels Singapore BlueSG needs time to develop software, refresh fleet, say ex-insiders after winding-down news Asia Cambodia-Thailand border clash a setback for Asean: Vivian Balakrishnan Singapore 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Yishun fatal crash victim Singapore Doctor hounded ex-girlfriend, threatened to share her intimate photos, abducted her off street Asia Trump's transactional foreign policy fuels 'US scepticism' in Taiwan Business Women on corporate boards give firms a competitive advantage, says Australian Governor-General Singapore CEO of sports car distributor accused of offences including multiple counts of false trading He has paved the lawn of the famous Rose Garden and adorned the Oval Office with lavish golden ornamentation. The 79-year-old leader recently announced plans for the ballroom, in what is shaping up to be the most significant project at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in over a century. He has vowed that he – with perhaps some help from private donors – would pay for all the work, estimated at US$200 million (S$258 million). 'It's just another way to spend my money for the country,' he said on Aug 5. A former reality TV host, Mr Trump is known for his public appearances that are half-comical, half-provocative, delighting his supporters and providing television networks with the images they relish. In 2015, he announced his presidential candidacy after slowly descending a golden escalator. And during the last presidential campaign, he staged photo ops in a garbage truck cabin and served fries in a McDonald's restaurant. AFP
