Brazil's President Lula vows to fight US tariffs

BOGOTA, Colombia

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday that his country will use all available resources, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), to defend its interests against new US tariffs.

“In 2025, we will resort to all possible measures, starting with the WTO, to defend our interests,” said Lula, speaking at an event in Brasilia. “In fact, the government was already taking action to strengthen foreign trade and generate new opportunities for domestic companies before the change of administration in the United States.”

Lula said he would not call US President Donald Trump to discuss the issue because his counterpart "does not want to talk." However, he announced he would call Trump to invite him to COP30, the UN climate change conference, in November, which will be held in Belem, Para.

"You can be sure, I will call Trump to invite him to COP30 and find out his opinion on the climate issue. I will be kind enough to call him."

During a meeting of the Council for Sustainable Economic and Social Development held at the presidential palace, Lula added that if Trump does not attend, "it's because he doesn't want to, but it won't be for lack of education, friendliness, or democracy. I'll invite him!" he said.

Beginning Friday, products imported to the US from Brazil are subject to a 50% tariff. Lula has expressed his willingness to negotiate with the US government on the tariffs but he has emphasized that any dialogue must occur on equal terms with mutual respect, reaffirming his commitment to national sovereignty.

Bilateral tensions have recently escalated following Washington's decision to impose sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes for his leading role in the investigations into an attempted coup linked to former President Jair Bolsonaro.