Brazilian president says ‘if he charges us 50%, we’ll charge him 50%’ after Trump cited trial of Bolsonaro to justify tariff

Brazil threatened to hit back against Donald Trump’s plan to introduce 50% tariffs on its exports with its own 50% tariff on US goods, setting the stage for a precipitous trade war.

“If he charges us 50%, we’ll charge him 50%,” Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian president, told local news outlet Record, a day after Trump threatened to impose steep duties on Brazilian goods and accused the country of conducting a “witch-hunt” against its former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing a trial over his attempt to overturn his 2022 election defeat.

Brazil could appeal to the World Trade Organization, propose international investigations and “demand explanations”, Lula suggested. “But the main thing is the Reciprocity Law, passed by Congress,” he told Record, referring to recent legislation designed to defend Latin America’s largest economy from tariff attacks.

  • driving_crooner@lemmy.eco.br
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    24 hours ago

    Tarcicio, the rights most likely candidate is going to be in a hard spot from now on, he sides with Brazil against US interference on local issues and lost Bolsonaro and his lackies support, or sides with the US and Bolsonaro and strengthen Lulas position as the only one capable of defending Brazil’s sovereignty

    • Phelpssan@lemmy.world
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      23 hours ago

      Yeah, it’s entirely possible that Trump has just given next year’s election to Lula on a silver platter.

      • Gsus4@mander.xyz
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        21 hours ago

        Maybe they can form the Western Hemisphere anti-cunt organization with Canada and Mexico (WHACO) against indiscriminate tariffs and political interference.