Lula challenges Trump to explain new tariffs on Brazilian goods
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday challenged US President Donald Trump to publicly explain Washington's decision to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on some Brazilian exports.
Speaking at an event in Rio de Janeiro on Brazil's public health system, Lula initially declined to discuss the trade dispute, saying the focus should remain on expanding healthcare services.
"Do you realise that I spoke at great length and did not mention tariffs? I am not going to talk about that because the news has to be the SUS. The news has to be our mobile units. The news has to be care for women," he said.
Lula added that he would respond only after Trump personally commented on the measure. "When Trump speaks, I will speak. As long as he does not speak, I will not speak," he said.
"We are going to prove that no one beats Brazil by lying. Either they are more sincere than us or they will not deceive Brazilian society," Lula added.
The additional tariffs are set to take effect on July 22 and are expected to affect about 18 percent of Brazilian exports to the United States, although coffee, beef, orange juice and some aeronautical components have reportedly been exempted.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
