Lula tells Trump democracy 'not on the table'

BRASILIA — Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday pushed back against a 50 percent 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.

US 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 concluded on Thursday after a panel of Supreme Court justices ruled that Bolsonaro had attempted a coup following his 2022 electoral defeat to Lula, sparking concerns about further US measures against Brazil.

'Historic decision'

Lula said he was proud of the Supreme Court for its "historic decision" that safeguards Brazil's institutions, the democratic rule of law and is not a "witch hunt".

"(The ruling) followed months of investigations that uncovered plans to assassinate me, the vice-president and a Supreme Court justice."

Lula added that the tariff increase was "not only misguided but illogical", citing the surplus of $410 billion in bilateral trade in goods and services the US has accumulated over the past 15 years.

After Thursday's ruling, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X that Trump's government "will respond accordingly".

Brazil's Foreign Ministry called Rubio's comment an inappropriate threat that would not intimidate the government, saying the country's judiciary is independent and that Bolsonaro was granted due process.

Agencies Via Xinhua