On Thursday (20) President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accused US President Donald Trump of wanting to “become an emperor of the world” and called for respect for the sovereignty of nations.
“The democracy established post-World War II is a benchmark of good governance over the past 70 years. However, Trump’s approach seems to aim at making him an emperor of the world,” Lula said in an interview with Brazilian radio station Tupi FM.
Lula reaffirmed Brazil’s stance on responding to US tariff policies, particularly if Trump imposes tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, a move that would significantly impact Brazil.
“He is currently taxing products from all countries, which will lead to inflation in the US, raising prices domestically. This may not be the best policy for the US. I urge President Trump to consider that each country’s sovereignty must be respected,” Lula stated.
Brazil is the second-largest steel supplier to the US, exporting about 18% of its steel production. In response, the Brazilian government is considering taxing US tech imports, which include major players like Google, Meta, and X.
Earlier this month, during an interview with radio stations in Minas Gerais, Lula said Brazil has the right to use the law of reciprocity. “Ideally, the US should lower their taxes, and we should do the same. But if they or any other country raises taxes on us, we’ll reciprocate. This is straightforward and democratic,” Lula explained.
Countries such as Canada, Mexico, and South Korea are also expected to be affected by Trump’s measure. During his first term, Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum but later granted quota exemptions to key suppliers like Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. This past precedent makes the recent US measures more cautious.
Earlier this year, the US announced 25% tariffs on products from Mexico but withdrew after negotiations with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
*With AFP
