Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has firmly declined to speak with former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding newly imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods. Instead, Lula announced plans to reach out to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping to seek support and explore coordinated trade measures through BRICS.
In a strong rebuke, Lula said, “I’m not going to call Trump. He doesn’t want to talk. I’ll call Xi. I’ll call Modi.” His statement comes in response to a 50% tariff hike by the United States on Brazilian exports, a move widely seen as politically motivated and linked to tensions surrounding former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Lula emphasized Brazil’s intent to challenge the tariff imposition through formal channels, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), while strengthening economic cooperation with strategic partners across Asia and the Global South.
The President’s remarks signal a broader shift in Brazil’s foreign policy, distancing itself from U.S.-centric diplomacy and deepening ties within the BRICS framework, especially as Brazil prepares for the upcoming BRICS summit.
Officials in Brasília confirmed that diplomatic communications with India and China are already underway, with trade, climate cooperation, and global governance expected to top the agenda.
This development marks a critical moment in global trade alignments, as Brazil repositions itself in an increasingly multipolar world.
