Brazil’s Lula Defies Trump ‘Democracy Not On Table’

Brasilia. Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday pushed back against a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian imported goods to the United States, arguing that it was “political” and “illogical.”

- Associated Press

Lula said in a New York Times oped that his government is open to negotiating anything that can bring mutual benefits. “But Brazil’s democracy and sovereignty are not on the table,” he said.

US President Donald Trump imposed the tariff on Brazil in July, citing what he called a “witch hunt” against former President Jair Bolso-naro, who at the time stood accused of trying to illegally hang onto power.

‘The trial came to an end on Thursday after a panel of Supreme Court justices ruled that Bolsonaro had attempted a coup after his 2022 electoral defeat to Lula, sparking fears of further US measures against Brazil.