President Lula: Brazil supports dialogue and negotiation, but will not accept impositions

Brazil is a historic ally of the United States. Brazil values the economic relationship between the two countries. But Brazil does not accept imposition. Brazil accepts negotiation”

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Presidente of the Republic

Defense of national sovereignty, belief in multilateralism, dialogue among nations, and the bicentennial history of diplomacy and cordiality between Brazil and the United States — but without giving up sovereignty or independence. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva upheld these principles in an interview granted on the morning of Thursday, July 17, to CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour.

“Brazil is a historic ally of the United States. Brazil values the economic relationship between the two countries. But Brazil does not accept imposition. Brazil accepts negotiation.” he summarized. In the roughly half-hour conversation, the President shared his views on the 50% tariffs announced by the United States on Brazilian products and commented on the geopolitical landscape, the need to renew global governance, and the crises in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as the role of BRICS in the Global South.

Below are some excerpts from President Lula’s responses.

50% TARIFF- It was a surprise to me. Not only the level of the tariff, but also how it was announced. I believe there is a lack of multilateralism in President Trump’s mindset. And he knows that a problem like this is resolved at the negotiating table. We had been negotiating with the United States since March. My Minister of Foreign Affairs and my Vice President were engaged in negotiations. On May 16, after ten meetings, we sent a proposal outlining what we wanted and what was feasible to agree on. To our surprise, instead of a response to the letter, we received the news published on the website of the President of the Republic.

MISCONCEPTION - I believe it was a misconception, because the letter is full of falsehoods. First, here in Brazil, the judiciary is independent. The President of the Republic does not control the judiciary. The second is that the trade deficit is not true. Over the past 15 years, the United States has had a surplus of 410 billion dollars in trade with Brazil. And third, whether or not we impose taxes on big tech companies is a matter for the Brazilian government. If we charge a high tax and they are not satisfied, negotiations take place. That is how multilateralism and global trade work. That is how Brazil acts.

DETERMINATION TO NEGOTIATE - We are going to try every possible argument to negotiate. If negotiation fails, you can be sure we will appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO), or we may act alone, or join a group of countries and appeal, or we may invoke the Reciprocity Law approved by the Brazilian Congress.

SOVEREIGNTY - It is important to keep in mind that the sovereignty of countries must be respected. It is necessary to respect what happens within a country. I am not a progressive president; I am the President of Brazil. I do not see Trump as a right-wing president, I see him as the President of the United States. He was elected and has the support of the American people. So, the best thing is to sit at the table to talk. So far, he has shown no interest, because he believes he can impose whatever tariffs he wants. No one wants to break ties with the United States, no one wants to do without the United States. What we want is not to be held hostage by the United States.

MARKET OPENING - In just two and a half years in office, I have created 379 new markets for Brazilian products around the world. I have been traveling a lot. We will make an agreement with the European Union, with the ASEAN countries, in Latin America, and we are going to talk to Mexico. We will also seek new partners. And we will not overlook the importance the United States holds for us.

BRICS - What we want is greater freedom in trade relations among BRICS countries. We represent 40% of international trade and 25% of the world’s GDP. BRICS was not created to confront the Global North. It was created so that we, as equals, could discuss our problems peacefully and on equal terms.

DEFORESTATION AND COP30 - Brazil is the country that takes the climate issue most seriously. We have already reduced deforestation in the Amazon by 50%, and my commitment is to achieve zero deforestation in the Amazon by 2030. In fact, I hope President Trump will attend COP30, which will take place in the heart of the Amazon. First, so he can get to know the Amazon. Second, so we can see whether world leaders are telling the truth when they say they are concerned about the climate. Back in Copenhagen, in 2009, rich countries pledged to provide 100 billion dollars per year to help developing countries — and so far, nothing. That debt now stands at 1.3 trillion dollars.

PEACE - Brazil is a country that seeks peace and serenity. That is how we pursue peace in Ukraine. That is how we pursue peace in Gaza. That is how we want peace on the African continent, especially in the Congo. Brazil does not want to fuel or take part in any war. Brazil wants peace and wants to negotiate. It is important that the American government understands this.

UKRAINE AND GAZA - The United Nations needs to take the lead. And both Putin and Zelensky must agree to that coordination, along with a group of countries that can propose an alternative to what each side wants. Otherwise, the war will not come to an end. I sincerely hope that President Trump, instead of selling more weapons, will act with greater caution and make an effort for peace. He has the power, he can do it. If there is no dialogue, this war will continue. It is the same with Gaza. What is happening in Gaza? Netanyahu does not respect anyone. He does not respect United Nations resolutions, he does not respect the decisions of the United States, he does not respect anything. Is this the world we want?

GOVERNANCE - Global governance should be carried out by the five members of the UN Permanent Council. But all of them are arms producers and all have taken part in wars. The United States invaded Iraq without consulting the UN, the United Kingdom and France invaded Libya without a UN decision, and Putin invaded Ukraine without a UN decision. There is a lack of governance. That is why Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East need to be represented. India must be included, Germany must be included, Japan must be included. In other words, let us make changes and try to at least restore the hope that the world can have more peace than war.