USA Lula Slams Trump’s Tariff Threat: "He's Not Emperor of the World"

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Brazil’s President Lula da Silva has slammed Donald Trump over tariff threats, declaring the former US president “not elected to be the emperor of the world.” This comes after Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, citing a “witch hunt” against his ally, ex-president Jair Bolsonaro.

 

Bolsonaro is currently on trial in Brazil, accused of attempting a coup following Lula's 2022 election victory. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face over 40 years in prison. Lula emphasised Brazil’s independent judiciary, affirming Bolsonaro is judged by his actions, not by political motivations.

 

Lula candidly stated that if Trump were Brazilian, he’d be on trial for any Capitol insurrection equivalent. He was shocked by Trump's social media post, initially dismissing it as “fake news.” In response, Brazil has vowed to impose its own tariffs if Trump follows through, with Lula insisting Brazil will not accept unilateral dictates.

 

Despite the heated exchange, Lula remains open to discussions, stating he hopes Trump will approach negotiations seriously. Highlighting past US-Brazil trade dynamics, Lula expressed eagerness for dialogue, underlining that international relations should avoid confrontational paths.

 

On a related front, the US announced an investigation into Brazil’s trade practices, focusing on digital trade and anti-corruption issues. The outcome could further strain relations between the two economies, but Lula maintains optimism for amicable resolutions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-07-19