247 - In response to the imposition of 50% tariffs on Brazilian products by US President Donald Trump, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared, in an interview with TV Record this Thursday (10), that Brazil will appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and seek a common front with other affected nations. Lula proposed the formation of a bloc of countries affected by US tariff sanctions in favor of a collective response. The idea is to transform the Brazilian case into an example of coordinated resistance to Washington's protectionism, which has harmed emerging nations and weakened international trade rules.

The Trump administration's hostile move reignites the debate over the trade autonomy of countries in the Global South and the need for reforms to the multilateral trading system.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described the measure as"unacceptable" in an interview with Rede Globo's Jornal Nacional. Lula stated that the unilateral US measure violates international trade rules and is an attack on Brazil's economic sovereignty."Brazil will not passively accept this type of trade retaliation. We will mobilize all available legal and diplomatic instruments to defend our interests," he declared.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (MDIC) have already initiated technical consultations to prepare the complaint with the WTO. The government is also considering activating regional economic coordination mechanisms, such as Mercosur and BRICS, to seek international support.

The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) expressed support for the federal government's actions and issued a public statement condemning the US tariffs. CNI President Ricardo Alban stated that"Brazilian businesses are united in defending a fair and predictable trade environment, as recommended by multilateral treaties."

Popular organizations also reacted with demonstrations and criticism of the Trump administration.

Analysts interviewed by Valor Econômico point out that Washington's measure is politically motivated and reflects Donald Trump's unilateral protectionist strategy. Brazil, for its part, seeks to maintain its stance of defending multilateralism and international law, without giving in to short-term pressures.

The Presidential Palace's reaction is part of a broader context of Brazil's geopolitical realignment, which has prioritized partnerships with countries in the Global South and reiterated its commitment to reforming international institutions. At recent G20 and BRICS summit meetings, President Lula has emphasized the need for a new global economic governance based on equity and mutual respect.

The government expects the WTO process to be opened in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance is monitoring the economic impacts of the measure and evaluating potential sectoral compensation. Brazil exports approximately US$3 billion in steel products to the US annually, a significant portion of which will be affected by the tariffs.

The Brazilian government reaffirmed that it will continue to engage in dialogue with the US, but that it will not give up defending its industry and workers."Our foreign policy is based on mutual respect, but also on firmness when our rights are violated," said Lula.

Trump's offensive comes amid growing tensions with the BRICS countries and open criticism of the proposal to create an alternative currency to the dollar for trade transactions between the group's countries."We are interested in creating a currency for trade between other countries. I am not obliged to buy dollars to trade with Venezuela, Bolivia, Sweden, or China. We can do it in our own currencies," Lula reiterated, signaling that the project to de-dollarize trade in the global South is more alive than ever.

Without directly mentioning former President Jair Bolsonaro, Lula also mocked Bolsonarism's subservience to Trump."There are people who call themselves patriots, but kneel before foreign interests. We will defend Brazil with firmness and dignity," he stated. The statement follows public criticism from analysts and opinion makers who point out the incoherence of the nationalist discourse of sectors of the Brazilian right in the face of the Trump administration's offensive against Brazil.

The Brazilian government's response was welcomed by industrial entities, agribusiness, and international relations experts, who consider multilateral action and unity with affected countries essential to curb the escalation of protectionism. In a statement, the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) assessed that American retaliation harms the competitiveness of the export sector and violates basic principles of international trade.

Social movements, unions, and progressive organizations also demonstrated in support of the government's stance. In several cities, organizations held demonstrations in defense of national sovereignty and regional integration as a form of resistance to economic imperialism. Trump's measure against Brazil is seen by broad sectors as an act of trade war and a direct attack on the Brazilian people's right to development.

The Brazilian government has signaled its intention to pursue the issue to its ultimate conclusions diplomatically and legally, but it also emphasizes the urgency of a new international economic order."If multilateralism doesn't work, we will have to strengthen alliances between countries of the Global South, based on equality, mutual respect, and sovereignty," said a source at the Planalto Palace.

At the end of the interview, Lula once again advocated dialogue and criticized Trump's confrontational style."If the American president has disagreements, he should take the matter to an international forum to discuss the matter civilly," he concluded.

With this stance, the Brazilian government reaffirms its willingness to face external pressure without sacrificing national interests, seeking to strengthen both institutional mechanisms and ties with countries that share the same challenges—in the name of fairer trade and a multipolar order based on respect and cooperation.

In tune with public support, the Lula administration remains firm and sends the message that Brazil will not bow to US economic pressure. The focus is on international justice and the option for reciprocity, reiterating a stance of defending sovereignty and trust in diplomatic relations.