Lula Responds Defiantly to Trump's Tariff Threat Against Brazil
Briefly

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vowed to reciprocate the U.S. threat of a 50% tariff. He stated that Brazil is a sovereign nation and will not accept any form of external control. Lula dismissed Trump’s claims about a trade deficit, clarifying that the U.S. had a $7.4 billion trade surplus with Brazil. This response followed Trump's comments regarding the indictment of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for coup-related activities, which Lula stated falls under judicial proceedings in Brazil.
"Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage," Lula said in a statement released shortly after Trump issued the tariff threat.
Trump condemned as a 'witch hunt' the ongoing trial of his far-right ally, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was indicted late last year for attempting a coup.
In fact, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. had a $7.4 billion goods trade surplus with Brazil last year.
In light of the public statement made by U.S. President Donald Trump... Brazil will respond in kind if tariffs are imposed.
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