TMTPOST -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, also known as Lula, on Wednesday vowed response with reciprocity after U.S. President Donald Trump announced 50% tariffs on his country.
Credit：U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Brazil
"Any measure to unilaterally raise tariffs will be responded to in accordance with Brazil's Economic Reciprocity Law," Lula said in a post on X. The president refuted Trump’s claim about a trade deficit, calling it “inaccurate". Statistics from the United States government itself demonstrate a surplus of approximately $410 billion in trade with Brazil over the past 15 years, Lula said.
Lula dismissed Trump’s meddling in Brazil’s internal affairs, specifically, the proceedings against its former far right president Jair Bolsonaro. “Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage,” Lula said in the post.
"The judicial proceedings against those responsible for planning the coup d’état 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 continued.
Trump earlier Wednesday announced new reciprocal tariffs of 50% on all Brazilian imports, starting on August 1. Brazil became the big loser as the tariff rate of 50% it now faces is the highest so far announced of the levies which are poised to begin in August, and the rate suggested a massive jump from the 10% tariffs the Trump administration imposed in early April.
In his letter to Lula posted on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed the 50% tariffs were in part due to “Brazil's insidious attacks on Free Elections, and the fundamental Free Speech Rights of Americans”, calling on the Brazilian government to drop charges against Bolsonaro, his political ally. For Trump, the way that Brazil has treated Bolsonaro is “an international disgrace”, and the trial should not be taking place. “It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!” Trump wrote.
The upcoming high tariffs on Brazil also resulted from “unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States” caused by many years of Brazil’s trade policies, said Trump in the letters, noting that the deficit is a major threat to U.S. economy and its national security. Moreover, Trump said he was directing U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to immediately open a Section 201 investigation into Brazil because of the country’s “continued attacks on the Digital Trade activities of American Companies, as well as other unfair Trading Practices.”
Following Trump’s announcement, Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said it was "unjust" for Trump to impose tariffs of 50 percent on Brazilian products. "I see no reason to increase tariffs on Brazil. Brazil is not a problem for the United States; it is important to reiterate that. The United States has a trade deficit, but a surplus with Brazil," Alckmin said.
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