By Leonardo Attuch, from Brasil 247, in Rio de Janeiro - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, reacted this Monday (07), to the tariff threats made by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, against countries aligned with BRICS.
In response, Lula highlighted the importance of respect between nations and condemned the use of social media by world leaders to spread intimidation. “I don’t think I should comment. I don’t think it’s a very responsible or serious thing for a president of a country the size of the United States to be threatening the world via the internet. It’s not right,” declared the Brazilian president.
The Chief Executive reinforced the principle of reciprocity in trade relations and repudiated any attempt at imposition by global powers. “If he thinks he can tax, countries have the right to tax as well. There is a law of reciprocity,” he said.
Lula also made a direct criticism of Trump’s imperial tone. “He needs to know that the world has changed. We don’t want an emperor. We are sovereign countries,” he stressed, adding: “People need to learn that respect is very good, we like to give and receive. And people need to read the meaning of the word ‘sovereignty.’ Each country is the master of its own destiny.”
Donald Trump's Tariff Threats
On Sunday (6), Trump posted on his Truth Social network that he intends to impose an additional 10% tariff on any nation that, according to him, associates itself with the “anti-American policies” of the BRICS. “Any country that allies itself with the anti-American policies of the BRICS will pay an ADDITIONAL 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention!”, he wrote, without detailing which practices would be under his sights.
The US president's statement came just hours after the official opening ceremony of the summit and had a negative impact on the diplomatic scene. In a joint statement, the BRICS countries warned that unilateral tariff increases worsen global economic fragmentation and pose a threat to international trade.
