Lucas Pordeus León – Reporter for Agência Brasil
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva highlighted, this Friday (11), that the government has the support of the Brazilian people to face the economic sanctions of the United States (USA) government and that Brazil cannot “lower its head” to the blackmail and threats of Donald Trump.
"This country will not bow its head to anyone. No one will instill fear in this country with rhetoric and bravado. No one. And I believe that, in this regard, we will have the support of the Brazilian people, who will not accept any provocation," the president said during a ceremony in Linhares, Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, to launch compensation for those affected by the collapse of the Mariana dam in Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais.
Various sectors of Brazilian society have criticized the Trump administration's decision to tax all Brazilian products by 50%, including business organizations, labor organizations, the media, Parliament, and social movements.
Lula once again advocated using the Reciprocity Act to respond to Trump's taxation measures if negotiations with Washington fail. Trump falsely claims that the US has a trade deficit with Brazil, a fact contradicted by the US's own statistics.
"Between trade and services, we have a deficit of US$410 billion with the US [in 10 years]. I should be the one taxing it," said Lula, adding that Trump is"misinformed."
Bolsonaro
President Lula also made harsh criticisms of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is being investigated by the Public Ministry (MP) for allegedly articulating sanctions against Brazil to escape trial at the Supreme Federal Court (STF).
Bolsonaro is accused of attempting a coup. Trump claims he is a victim of political persecution and links the tariffs against Brazil to the PL politician's trial.
"What kind of man is this who has no shame in facing the trial head-on and proving his innocence? The ones accusing him aren't anyone from the Workers' Party; the ones accusing him are the generals and his aide-de-camp, who was an Army colonel," Lula said.
The president also questioned the Bolsonaro family's actions against the prosecution of the coup plot. Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) took leave from his parliamentary post and traveled to the United States, where he is demanding action from the Trump administration against Brazil.
"The 'thing' [Bolsonaro] ordered his son, who was a congressman, to leave the Chamber to go there, asking, 'Hey Trump, for the love of God, Trump, save my father, don't let my father be arrested.' These people need to be ashamed of themselves," said Lula, still at the ceremony, in Linhares (ES).
Bolsonaro is accused by the Attorney General's Office (PGR) of leading an attempted coup d'état to annul the 2022 presidential elections to maintain his grip on power. He allegedly pressured military commanders to join the coup, with plans to assassinate President Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moras.
On social media, Bolsonaro praised Trump, said the tariffs are a result of Brazil's departure from"its historic commitments to freedom," and called on "the powers that be to act urgently and present measures" to restore "institutional normality." Bolsonaro and his allies deny the alleged crimes of attempted coup d'état.
For analysts consulted by Agência Brasil, Trump's sanction against the country is political blackmail targeting the BRICS, the regulation of big tech and an attempt to interfere in the internal judicial and political process.
