247 - Jair Bolsonaro (PL) declared, in a press conference this Thursday (17), that he would be willing to negotiate with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, regarding the tariffs imposed on Brazilian products. However, according to him, this would only occur if President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) “signaled positively” and his passport, currently held by the Federal Police, was returned.
"If Lula signals to me, I know he won't be the one to give me the passport, I'll negotiate with Trump. (...) Those who don't talk will pay a high price," Bolsonaro said during a press conference, according to CNN Brasil.
The remarks come amid Trump's announcement of a 50% tariff on Brazilian products. The US president justified the measure, among other reasons, by what he called a"witch hunt" against Bolsonaro in Brazil. The former president is currently being tried by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) on suspicion of involvement in a coup attempt to remain in power after losing the 2022 presidential election.
According to the former president, Brazil finds itself isolated in the face of Washington's new trade policy. In his assessment, Lula's defense of national sovereignty is leading the country toward increasing economic dependence on China.
"Brazil is isolated. [...] When we talk about sovereignty, we will become dependent on China," Bolsonaro said at the entrance to the Senate, after visiting the office of his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), according to Metrópoles. During his statement, Bolsonaro also defended Trump's aggression against Brazil, stating that the US president wants to see"democracy restored" in the country.
The statements came after Attorney General Paulo Gonet filed a request this week for Bolsonaro to be convicted of several crimes: leadership of an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the rule of law, attempted coup d'état, and causing damage qualified by violence and serious threat to federal property. The prosecution highlights that the losses resulting from the attempted coup on January 8, 2023, were considerable, including the deterioration of listed properties.
The trial of Bolsonaro and his allies at the Supreme Federal Court is expected to take place between August and September. According to current procedural deadlines, the parties' closing arguments must be completed by August 11, as there is no suspension of deadlines during the court's July recess.
