BRASILIA, Aug. 6 — As the United States hikes tariffs on Brazilian goods to 50 percent, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says he sees no reason to initiate a conversation with President Donald Trump. For Lula, engaging in talks under current conditions would feel like surrendering Brazil’s dignity.
“I follow my instincts,” Lula said in an interview at the Alvorada Palace, his official residence. “If I feel Trump is actually open to dialogue, I won’t hesitate to call. But right now, it doesn’t feel that way. And I’m not going to humiliate myself.”
The new U.S. tariffs, which took effect Wednesday, hit Brazilian exporters hard and mark one of the strongest trade measures imposed by the Trump administration since returning to power. Despite the blow, Lula remains confident in Brazil’s economic resilience and is in no rush to retaliate or negotiate on unequal terms.
At the heart of this trade rift lies something deeper than just tariffs. Lula accuses Trump of trying to use trade pressure to influence Brazil’s legal system, pointing to demands for an end to the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro is currently facing trial for allegedly trying to overturn the outcome of the 2022 election.
“Our Supreme Court isn’t swayed by outside opinions, and it shouldn’t be,” Lula said. “And Bolsonaro? He should face another trial. What he did was invite a foreign power to intervene in our legal system. That’s a betrayal.”
Lula, a lifelong union man turned three-time president, said this moment reminded him of past interference. He recalled the United States’ role in Brazil’s 1964 military coup that toppled a democratically elected government. “Back then, we forgave U.S. involvement,” he said. “But this is different. This time, a sitting U.S. president is trying to dictate policy to another sovereign nation. That’s not something I can accept.”
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Still, Lula has not entirely ruled out a face-to-face meeting with Trump. He mentioned the possibility of seeing him at the United Nations General Assembly next month or later this year during climate negotiations. But he also expressed doubts about how such a meeting might go, citing instances where Trump publicly embarrassed other world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“What he did to those presidents wasn’t diplomacy. It was humiliation,” Lula said. “One leader should never treat another like that. I show respect to everyone, and I expect the same in return.”
While cabinet-level officials continue efforts to open dialogue with their U.S. counterparts, Lula’s administration is focusing on cushioning the domestic economy from the tariff shock. He mentioned that support measures for Brazilian companies are in the works, including credit assistance and export backing. Specifics remain under wraps for now, but Lula stressed that any response would be handled with financial discipline.
In the meantime, Lula is looking to Brazil’s international allies. He said he plans to speak with leaders of fellow BRICS nations, starting with India and China, about coordinating a collective response to the U.S. tariffs.
“There’s no joint plan yet, but there will be,” he said. “One small country alone doesn’t have much leverage against the U.S. But if we act together, that changes the equation.”
Brazil is also weighing a formal complaint at the World Trade Organization, possibly in coordination with other countries facing similar trade challenges.
“I’ve been negotiating my whole life,” Lula said, reflecting on his rise from poverty to national leadership. “And I’ve learned that timing and unity matter more than rushing into bad deals.”
When asked whether Brazil might consider tax measures targeting U.S. tech giants, Lula said his administration is reviewing options to ensure foreign companies are treated the same as local businesses.
He also announced plans to implement a new national policy for strategic mineral resources. The goal is to keep more of the value from Brazil’s natural wealth within the country, rather than exporting raw materials and missing out on long-term benefits.
“This is about taking control of our future,” Lula said. “It’s about sovereignty.”
