‘Will not call Trump’: Brazil’s Lula refuses to contact US prez; 50% tariffs remain unresolved
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Tuesday said he will not reach out to US President Donald Trump, saying, “I will not call Trump because he does not want to talk.” The statement comes amid rising diplomatic tensions between Brazil and the United States, reports news agency Reuters.The rift follows Washington’s decision to impose a sweeping 50% tariff on Brazilian imports. Trump had earlier commented that Lula could “call him anytime” to discuss trade disputes.Meanwhile, Brazilian finance minister Fernando Haddad called Trump’s openness to talk “great” and said Lula would be willing to receive a call. However, Lula has made it clear he will not be the one to initiate it.The tension is not limited to tariffs. The United States has also sanctioned Brazilian supreme court justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Magnitsky Act, citing alleged human rights violations linked to the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro is accused of plotting a coup following his 2022 election defeat and is under house arrest. Trump has called the trial a “witch hunt.”Brazil has firmly rejected US claims of political persecution, stating its judiciary remains independent. Justice de Moraes has insisted he will ignore the sanctions and continue his duties.“This is a personalistic government that is adopting policies according to Trump’s whims,” said Harvard political scientist Steven Levitsky, noting Bolsonaro’s close ties with Trump’s inner circle.In a final attempt to ease tensions, a delegation of Brazilian senators travelled to Washington last month to present economic arguments and press for cooperation. They found that many US views on Brazil were “ideologically charged”.Brazilian officials have admitted they struggled to access key decision-makers in the White House.
