Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has issued a sharp rebuke to U.S. President Donald Trump following his proposal to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, calling the move an affront to Brazil’s sovereignty and legal independence.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday (IST), Lula asserted that Brazil “will not accept any form of tutelage” and reaffirmed the country’s status as a sovereign nation with independent institutions.
The remarks came after Trump accused Brazil of undermining U.S. tech firms and targeting former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing legal proceedings related to an alleged attempt to overturn the 2022 election.
“Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage,” Lula wrote.
“The judicial proceedings related to the attempted coup fall strictly under Brazil’s judiciary and are not subject to external interference or threats that may compromise institutional independence.”
Trump made the tariff announcement via social media, tying it to what he described as Brazilian “attacks” on American tech companies and its treatment of Bolsonaro — a close Trump ally who faces multiple investigations.
Lula also addressed Trump’s claims of a U.S. trade deficit with Brazil, dismissing them as “inaccurate.”
Citing official U.S. data, he noted that the U.S. has accumulated a $410 billion trade surplus in goods and services with Brazil over the past 15 years.
He warned that any unilateral increase in tariffs by the U.S. would be met in line with Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law, reinforcing that trade relations must be based on mutual respect.
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On the subject of online platforms, Lula underscored Brazil’s firm stance against hate speech, racism, child exploitation, fraud, and other digital harms.
“Freedom of expression cannot be confused with aggression or violent practices. All companies — foreign or domestic — must follow Brazilian law to operate in our territory,” he said.
Concluding his statement, Lula reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to sovereignty, mutual respect, and the defence of its people’s interests as cornerstones of its international relationships.
