Lula Vows Retaliation After Trump Imposes 50% Tariff on Brazil

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has vowed to respond with “reciprocity” to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, describing the move as unilateral and unjustified.

Lula cited Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law, which allows for proportional countermeasures, and emphasized that the country will not stand down in the face of foreign economic pressure.

“Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage,” Lula stated on Wednesday, as he addressed both the tariff imposition and Trump’s recent criticism of Brazil’s legal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The U.S. leader had earlier sent tariff letters to 22 countries, including Brazil, with country-specific hikes set to take effect from August 1. In Brazil’s case, Trump coupled the tariff notice with a public condemnation of Bolsonaro’s trial, calling it “an international disgrace” and labeling the proceedings a “witch hunt.”

In response, Lula defended Brazil’s judiciary, noting that the prosecution of individuals involved in the attempted coup, including Bolsonaro, falls strictly within the country’s legal system.

“These proceedings are under the sole jurisdiction of Brazil’s judiciary and are not subject to external interference or threats,” Lula said.

He also pushed back against Trump’s claim that the U.S. suffers a trade deficit with Brazil. “Even U.S. government data show a surplus of $410 billion in goods and services traded with Brazil over the past 15 years,” he posted on social media.

On Trump’s accusation that Brazil is censoring American digital platforms, Lula maintained that all tech companies must comply with local laws.

“Brazilian society rejects hateful content, racism, child pornography, scams, fraud, and anti-democratic speech,” he said. “Freedom of expression in Brazil cannot be mistaken for aggression or violence.”

Bolsonaro, along with seven others, was recently indicted over an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 election results. Brazil’s Supreme Court voted unanimously to move the case to trial, where Bolsonaro could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.