BOGOTA, Colombia: Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on Tuesday vowed to defend the country’s economic interests using all available means, including the World Trade Organisation (WTO), in response to new United States (US) tariffs on Brazilian imports.
“In 2025, we will resort to all possible measures, starting with the WTO, to defend our interests,” Lula said at an event in Brasilia, as reported by Anadolu Ajansi (AA).
He said the Brazilian Government had already begun efforts to boost foreign trade and support domestic companies even before the upcoming US administration takes office.
Lula also addressed US President Donald Trump’s reluctance to engage in dialogue, saying he would not call to discuss the tariff issue as his counterpart “does not want to talk”.
However, he said he would reach out to Trump to invite him to attend the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Para, this November.
“You can be sure; I will call Trump to invite him to COP30 and hear his views on climate. I will be kind enough to call him,” Lula said.
Speaking during a meeting of the Council for Sustainable Economic and Social Development at the presidential palace, Lula added, “If he doesn’t attend, it’s because he doesn’t want to, but it won’t be for lack of courtesy, friendliness, or commitment to democracy.”
The US is set to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian imports starting Friday.
Lula expressed willingness to negotiate with Washington but stressed that any talks must take place on equal terms and with mutual respect, underscoring Brazil’s national sovereignty.
Bilateral tensions have escalated in recent weeks, especially following the US decision to impose sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice, Alexandre de Moraes, over his role in investigating an attempted coup allegedly linked to former president, Jair Bolsonaro. – BERNAMA-ANADOLU
