Brazil is facing a serious problem, probably the worst it has ever experienced in its foreign relations. On the one hand, it has received a relentless dressing-down from the United States – a letter sent by the American president to the Brazilian president, complete with exclamation points, says things that no government can hear without saying anything. On the other, it finds itself in the middle of a fight it didn't plan, has no way of winning, and serves no real interest of Brazil.

No one can think of it as a good deal to be blacklisted by the world's greatest power. China, for example, is certain it isn't; it has the world's second-largest economy and yet doesn't want to receive a letter like the one Lula received. Above all, it doesn't want to be obligated to do something hostile against the United States in order to deliver a so-called"response in kind."

China isn't in the business of "giving the right answers." It's in the business of doing well in international trade, being a serious force in technological advancement, and developing its economy more than any other nation in the world. Brazil, on the other hand, is in a conflict that doesn't interest it. It won't make a single cent from it. Yet it finds itself forced to react to the insults it has received—and sink into a fight imposed by its adversary.

Brazil now has, among other obligations it didn't have and isn't interested in fulfilling, to respond with"reciprocity" to the sanctions it has just received. But it's complicated to give the United States reciprocal treatment if you're not another United States—it's like Madureira trying to play on equal terms with Real Madrid. There's absolutely nothing in Brazil that the United States actually needs to buy. Brazil, on the other hand, has to buy an ocean of things from there.

These aren't blouses or plastic buckets. These are essential products for the functioning of Brazilian industry and economy, ranging from the most sensitive electronic components to cutting-edge medical equipment. A 50% tariff, then, is a direct cost increase. Brazilian products, taxed at such high rates, simply disappear from the market.

No one, starting with the United States, depends on Brazil for anything. Does Brazil export microprocessors, communications satellites, and parts for B-2 aircraft? Does anyone in the world want to buy a Brazilian ship? Do we hold patents on any critical technology? Can we disconnect the Americans from the SWIFT system of global financial transactions? It's difficult to talk about reciprocity.