Brazil’s Leader Lula Says There Is No Relationship With Former US President Trump
Through a recent conversation, the nation’s Head of State Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized that he holds “no rapport” at all with former American leader Trump.
The Brazilian leader has often condemned Trump, yet this is the most explicit signal so far that he feels exchange between the two heads of state is now totally broken down.
Economic Disputes and Taxes
Despite the United States enjoying a trade surplus with the South American nation, Donald Trump enforced import taxes of fifty percent on Brazilian exports back in July.
The president labeled these tariffs as “highly political” and noted that US shoppers would likely see elevated costs for imported goods.
“The American public are the ones who will suffer for the mistakes Mr. Trump is making in his dealings with Brazil.”
Lack of Contact
The two leaders have never spoken directly. When asked on why he did not attempted to contact the former president, President Lula explained: “I did not attempted that call since he did not desire to engage in a conversation.”
Even though Donald Trump has said that Lula could “reach out anytime,” Lula maintained that members of the Trump Administration “do not want to talk.”
Lula further disclosed that he first heard about the new taxes from local media outlets.
Speaking about Trump, Lula said that he “did not reach out in a civilized way. He only announced them on social media.”
‘He Is No Emperor on Earth!’
Lula highlighted that his poor relationship with the US leader are the exception, adding that he has developed strong ties with former US presidents, UK prime ministers, the EU, Chinese authorities, Ukrainian leaders, Venezuelan representatives and “most nations worldwide.”
Asked about who he enjoyed a stronger relationship with – Donald Trump or Russian President Putin – Lula explained his relationship with Putin, saying they established that bond when both were leaders “in the past.”
“There is no connection with Donald Trump as at the time Trump first won the election, I was not president. His connection is with the former president, not with Brazil.”
He also remarked that if he ran into Trump at the upcoming UN meeting, he would “say hello since I consider myself a respectful person,” although he added that Trump is “leader of the US, but he is no emperor of the world!”
Remarks on Bolsonaro and Coup Allegations
The president also touched on his preceding leader, Bolsonaro, who was last week found guilty by the nation’s highest court.
In a four-to-one ruling, judges concluded the ex-president culpable of plotting a coup following being defeated in the presidential race to Lula and sentenced him to 27 years in prison.
Lula said that Bolsonaro and his associates had “harmed the country, attempted a takeover, and plotted assassination.”
He also condemned Donald Trump for “promoting falsehoods” by stating that the former president was being unfairly treated and denouncing the state of democratic institutions in the country.
The Brazilian leader further remarked that if the 6 January US Capitol attack had taken place in his country instead of the United States, Trump would have been put on trial.
UN Changes and International Affairs
In the broad conversation, Lula also pushed for changes of the international body.
He criticized the reality that five nations – the permanent members of the UN Security Council – have the power to veto actions and argued that this skewed the balance in favor of those who won WWII, ignoring countries like billions of individuals including his country, Germany, India, Japan, along with many African nations.
As a result, he said, the UN does not “have the strength to address wars” and the five permanent members take “unilateral” choices about military action.
Oil and Environment Issues
The BBC further asked Lula about November’s COP30 summit, where Brazil will host world leaders in the Amazon region of Belém do Pará.
Domestically, the leader has encountered opposition over his backing for potential drilling for crude near the mouth of the Amazon.
Brazil’s national oil firm Petrobras and additional firms have acquired blocks for exploration and are pending permits.
Even his ecology chief, Marina Silva, has vocally opposed the project, and several activists fear it could risk environmental disasters in waters close to the rainforest.
President Lula insisted that the government was strictly following the regulations in its research and that if any accidents, then “the nation would be accountable and take care of any issues.”
Lula further mentioned that he favors a world free from oil and gas although “the transition has not come so far.”
“I want to know of any nation that is prepared to complete an green transformation and willing of phasing out traditional energy.”
The president, who is 79 years old, noted that he has not yet made up his mind if he would seek another term in the 2026 vote.
He explained that his well-being and his political group would influence that – in addition to whether it was strategically opportune and whether he stood a chance of winning.
His declined in the opinion surveys in recent months, however gained a boost after Donald Trump introduced duties on Brazilian goods.
Finally, Lula stated that his achievements involved reducing {hunger|food insecurity