Connect with us

International

Brazilian President Lula Responds to Trump’s Tariff Threats with Strong Warning

Published

on

  • President Lula warns Brazil will retaliate with tariffs if the US imposes them on Brazilian products.
  • Lula stresses the need for mutual respect in international relations, following Trump’s tariff threat.
  • Trump’s tariff policies continue to escalate trade tensions, with potential impacts on Latin American countries.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has warned that if the United States imposes tariffs on Brazil, his country will respond with similar measures.

Speaking at a press conference in Brasília on Thursday, Lula emphasized that Brazil seeks a relationship based on mutual respect. His remarks came in response to US President Donald Trump’s threat of increased tariffs.

EDITOR’S PICKS 

“It’s simple: If he taxes Brazilian products, we will do the same,” Lula stated. “Trump was elected to run the US, and I was elected to run Brazil. I will respect the US, and I expect Trump to respect Brazil. That’s all.”

Lula’s comments signal the potential for escalating trade tensions, with Trump’s protectionist policies threatening to spark a trade war with US allies.

Lula’s position also provides insight into how other Latin American countries might react to Trump’s tariff-driven strategies. Trump has used tariffs to promote domestic industry and pressure international rivals into meeting demands on issues ranging from manufacturing to immigration.

Earlier this week, Trump threatened Colombia with large tariffs after President Gustavo Petro initially refused to allow a US military flight carrying undocumented immigrants to land. Petro objected to the US treatment of the immigrants, some of whom were reportedly handcuffed. Following the tariff threats, Petro allowed future flights to proceed, despite his sharp criticism of Trump.

Trump Death Penalty

Trump Death Penalty

Trump has since hinted at imposing tariffs on other countries. On Thursday, he reiterated plans to follow through on a promise to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, two of the US’s largest trading partners.

“We don’t need their products,” Trump remarked.

Trump has suggested that these tariffs would encourage Canada and Mexico to tighten border security and reduce the flow of drugs, migrants, and asylum seekers. In the past, he has also threatened military action against Mexican drug cartels moving fentanyl across the border.

Experts view the escalating tariff threats as part of Trump’s broader “America First” policy, which prioritizes US interests above all else. His remarks during his second inauguration on January 20 underscored this platform, as he foreshadowed tariffs intended to “enrich our citizens” and outlined an expansionist vision, including the potential seizure of the Panama Canal.

FURTHER READING

These threats, however, have not been well received in Latin America, where the legacy of US interventions and interference remains deeply ingrained.

“I’ve governed Brazil under both Republican and Democratic US presidents, and our relationship has always been one between two sovereign nations,” said Lula, who began his third non-consecutive term in office in 2023 after defeating Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro.

The US runs a trade deficit with Brazil, importing products like coffee, oil, steel, aircraft, and orange juice.

Brazil, on the other hand, primarily buys energy products, pharmaceuticals, and aircraft parts from the US. In 2024, according to Brazil’s Foreign Trade Secretariat, the country exported $337 billion in goods to the US and imported $262.5 billion.

Experts note that trade deficits don’t necessarily indicate an unhealthy economic relationship, as they are influenced by factors like consumer demand and currency fluctuations.

There are also concerns that a trade war initiated by the US could create opportunities for other economic rivals to step in.

For example, China has significantly increased its economic presence in South America in recent years, becoming the top trading partner for many countries in the region.

Click here to watch our video of the week:




Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:

Kindly contact us at ekohotblog@gmail.com. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.

Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.

Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611




 

 

 


DISCLAIMER: Opinion articles are solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers Of  EKO HOT BLOG

For publication of your News Contents, articles, Videos or any other News Worthy Materials, please send to ekohotblog@gmail.com

For Advert and other info, you can call 08035617233 or send a WhatsApp Message to 08035617233.

Please drop your comments

Copyright © Ekohotblog

MGID