He President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvaand his American pair, Donald Trumpthey held their first formal telephone conversation Since the Republican returned to the White Housein the middle of a marked bilateral tension that deepened after the imposition by the US administration of 50% tariffs and diplomatic sanctions.
The videoconference, which extended for 30 minutes and was qualified as “Friendly tone” by the Brazilian government, It had as a central axis Lula’s claim so that Washington reverses the punitive measures that weigh on his country.
The workers’ party leader specifically requested “The elimination of tariffs on Brazilian products and restrictive measures against Brazilian authorities”as reported by the Palacio do Planalto In an official statement.
The Brazilian Finance Minister, Fernando Haddaddefined the exchange as “positive” and anticipated that “President Lula has already recommended the publication of a statement” after the virtual meeting.
During the conversation, Trump appointed his secretary of state, Marco Rubioto continue the treatment with the Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Minister Haddad.
Both leaders they agreed to make a face -to -face meeting in the short term. Lula proposed as Possible scenario The Summit of La Asean in Malaysiascheduled for the end of October, although it also offered travel directly to the United States. In addition, he reiterated his invitation to Trump to participate in the COP30 that will be held during November BELÉM, PARÁ.
The trade deficit argument
To base his request to eliminate tariffs, Lula argued that Brazil is one of the only three G20 members that maintains a deficit with the United States in its commercial balancetogether with the United Kingdom and Australia.
The first contact between both leaders from Trump’s return to power It had occurred last month, during a brief meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York.
On that occasion, Trump had highlighted his “excellent chemistry” with the Brazilian leadera comment that Lula described as “a pleasant surprise”, although he warned that the Republican had received “Incorrect information about Brazil”.
50% tariffs for the Bolsonaro case
Brazilian markets follow the evolution of these negotiations, In a context where US pressure failed to reverse the political deterioration of former president Jair Bolsonarowhose condemnation for attempted sudden was ratified Despite the efforts of related sectors in Washingtonmainly driven by deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro from the United States.
Since August, A significant portion of Brazilian exports to the United States faces a 50% tariffwhile strategic sectors such as aviation or orange game They were subject to a 10%surcharge.
The White House justified the measure in response to what Trump described as a “witch hunt” against its main political ally in the South American country.
The ex -president was recently sentenced to 27 years in prison for trying to perpetrate a coup after its electoral defeat against Lula in 2022. US sanctions also included Financial restrictions against Judge Alexandre de Moraes, of the Supreme Federal Court, and the revocation of visas to advisors of the Lula government.
Source: Ambito
