Brazil’s Lula pushes back against tariff, tells Trump the country’s democracy ‘is not on the table’

By  Eleonore Hughes and Eduardo Francois

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday pushed back against a 50% tariff on Brazilian imported goods to the United States, arguing that it was “political” and “illogical.”

Lula said in a New York Times op-ed that his government is open to negotiating anything that can bring mutual benefits. “But Brazil’s democracy and sovereignty are not on the table,” he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump imposed the tariff on Brazil in July, citing what he called a “witch hunt” against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who at the time stood accused of trying to illegally hang onto power.

The trial came to an end on Thursday after a panel of Supreme Court justices ruled that Bolsonaro had attempted a coup after his 2022 electoral defeat to Lula, sparking fears of further U.S. measures against Brazil.

Lula said he was proud of the Supreme Court for its “historic decision” which safeguards Brazil’s institutions,