Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has stated that if the United States imposes tariffs on his country, he will retaliate in kind.
During a news conference in Brasilia on Thursday, Lula emphasized the importance of a relationship built on mutual respect in response to President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
Lula told reporters, “If he taxes Brazilian products, there will be reciprocity. Trump was elected to run the US, and I was elected to run Brazil. I will respect the US and want Trump to respect Brazil.”
These comments reflect concerns that Trump’s actions could lead to a trade war with US allies and provide a roadmap for other Latin American countries facing similar challenges.
In recent days, Trump has also targeted Colombia with tariff threats over a diplomatic disagreement regarding immigrants landing in the US.
Despite tensions, both sides have stepped back from the brink, but Trump has continued to hint at tariffs against other countries, including Mexico and Canada, to promote border security and address issues like drug trafficking.
Trump’s “America First” policy has drawn criticism in Latin America due to historical tensions and perceptions of US interventionism in the region. Lula stresses the importance of a relationship between sovereign nations, highlighting the trade ties between the US and Brazil.
While the US has a trade deficit with Brazil, experts caution against viewing deficits as inherently negative and warn that trade wars could benefit other global economic players like China, which has been increasing its presence in South America.
