‘Brazil will not accept any tutelage’: Lula vs Trump as US imposes 50% tariffs | World News
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hit back at his American counterpart, Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian imports, calling the move an affront to Brazil’s sovereignty and judicial independence. In a sharply worded statement posted on social media, Lula rejected what he described as external interference in Brazil’s democratic institutions, following Trump’s claims that the tariffs were in retaliation for the prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
“In light of the public statement made US President Donald Trump on social media on the afternoon of Wednesday (9), it is important to highlight the following: Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage. The judicial proceedings against those responsible for planning the coup d’etat fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of Brazil’s Judicial Branch and, as such, are not subject to any interference or threats that could compromise the independence of national institutions,” Lula said in a post on X.
In light of the public statement made U.S. President Donald Trump on social media on the afternoon of Wednesday (9), it is important to highlight the following:
Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage.
The judicial…
— Lula (@LulaOficial) July 9, 2025
He further pushed back against Trump’s claims of a US trade deficit with Brazil, citing US government statics that show a surplus of $410 billion in trade of goods and services over the past 15 years.
“The claim regarding a US trade deficit in its commercial relationship with Brazil is inaccurate. Statics from the US government itself show a surplus of $410 billion in the trade of goods and services with Brazil over the past 15 years. Therefore, any unilateral tariff increases will be addressed in accordance with Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law. Sovereignty, respect and the unwavering defense of the interests of the Brazilian people are the values that guide our relationship with the world,” Lula added.
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Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Brazil, demands Bolsonaro’s trial end
The diplomatic relations between the US and Brazil hit an all time low after Trump slapped a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian goods in support of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial for allegedly plotting a coup to stop Lula from taking office in 2023.
In the letter posted on Truth Social, Trump announced that the 50% tariff is linked to Brazil’s treatment of Bolsonaro, and accused Brasília of “attacks” on US tech companies.
The US president was involved in a public spat with Lula earlier this week over the legal proceedings against Bolsonaro, calling it a “witch hunt”.
