Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hit back hard Wednesday after Donald Trump threatened to slap a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods. Lula called out Trump’s attempt to meddle in Brazil’s justice system, making it clear the country would not back down.
“Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage,” Lula said in a sharp statement hours after Trump issued his warning.
Trump’s threat came as he defended his ally, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial over an attempted coup after losing the 2022 election. Bolsonaro has been indicted for plotting to overturn the result — a plan that allegedly included poisoning Lula and killing a Supreme Court judge.
Calling the trial a “witch hunt,” Trump claimed it was unfair and politically motivated. He also falsely said the U.S. runs a trade deficit with Brazil — a claim that’s flatly contradicted by U.S. government data. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. actually had a $7.4 billion goods trade surplus with Brazil last year.
Lula didn’t let that slide.
“The judicial proceedings against those responsible for planning the coup d’état fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of Brazil’s Judicial Branch and, as such, are not subject to any interference or threats that could compromise the independence of national institutions,” he said.
He also dismantled Trump’s trade claim. Lula pointed to official figures showing the U.S. has enjoyed “a surplus of $410 billion in the trade of goods and services with Brazil over the past 15 years.”
Then came the warning.
“Therefore, any unilateral tariff increases will be addressed in accordance with Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law,” Lula said. “Sovereignty, respect, and the unwavering defense of the interests of the Brazilian people are the values that guide our relationship with the world.”
Lula didn’t stop there. Earlier this week, Trump also lashed out at BRICS — the economic alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Lula fired back.
“We don’t want an emperor,” he said. “This is a set of countries that wants to find another way of organizing the world from the economic perspective. I think that’s why the BRICS are making people uncomfortable.”
In short, Lula said Brazil won’t be bullied — not by Trump, and not by anyone.
In light of the public statement made by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media on the afternoon of Wednesday (9), it is important to highlight the following:
Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage.
The judicial…
— Lula (@LulaOficial) July 9, 2025
