Brazil’s President Lula Blasts Trump Over Tariffs: “He Is President of the US, Not Emperor of the World”
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has launched a sharp attack on US President Donald Trump over Washington’s decision to impose a massive tariff on Brazilian exports. Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Lula made it clear that he has no personal or political relationship with Trump, stressing that while Trump may hold the office of the American presidency, “he is not the emperor of the world.”
The controversy began after the Trump administration slapped a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian goods, a move that directly affects key exports such as coffee and beef. Initially, there was some hope in diplomatic circles that bilateral talks might lead to a reduction of this tariff burden. However, Lula’s outspoken comments have signaled that Brazil does not see any immediate possibility of Trump reversing his decision.
When asked about the potential fallout of these tariffs on trade, Lula did not hold back. “The American people will have to pay the price for the mistakes President Trump is making in relations with Brazil,” he said. His frustration was evident when he explained why he had not attempted to directly reach out to Trump. “I didn’t call because Trump never expressed a desire to talk. He never engaged in a civilized conversation—he simply announced tariffs on social media,” Lula remarked. Pressed further about the state of his relationship with the American leader, Lula bluntly stated, “We have no relationship at all.”
Criticism of the United Nations System
Beyond trade tensions, Lula also used the opportunity to criticize the structure of global governance, particularly the United Nations Security Council. According to him, the current system unfairly benefits the five permanent members— the US, UK, France, Russia, and China—who enjoy veto powers. “This arrangement tilts the balance of power toward the countries that won World War II,” Lula argued, “while nations representing billions of people—such as Brazil, India, Germany, Japan, and countries across Africa—remain excluded from meaningful decision-making.” He reiterated Brazil’s long-standing demand for comprehensive reforms at the UN to ensure fairer global representation.
Tariffs and Brazil’s Political Context
The tariffs imposed by the Trump administration were first announced in July. The official explanation from Washington accused the Brazilian government of pursuing retaliatory measures against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who remains a deeply divisive figure in the country. Bolsonaro has faced mounting legal troubles since leaving office, culminating in a dramatic decision by Brazil’s Supreme Court last Thursday. The court found him guilty of attempting to orchestrate a coup in 2022 and handed down a 27-year prison sentence.
For Lula, the current situation underscores both the challenges of dealing with the Trump administration and the need for Brazil to assert its sovereignty on the global stage. His message was firm: while the United States may be a powerful nation, it does not dictate the course of the world economy or international politics.
