Brazilian President Considers Trump's 50 Percent Tariff From Trump Extortion

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (center)/PHOTO via Instagram @lulaoficial

JAKARTA - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stressed he would not accept tariff orders from foreign parties, referring to US President Donald Trump.

Lula called the threat of US import duties an "unacceptable extortion."

The strong remarks made in two separate events mark the continuation of the dispute between the two heated leaders as the US announced a 50% tariff against Brazil last week.

Trump attributed the tariff to start in August, with Brazil's treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro and trading practices against US companies that he said were unfair.

The announcement of the tariff comes days after Lula called Trump an unwanted "kaisar" to the world.

Lula and her cabinet members rejected the reasons behind the tariff and insisted on Brazil's sovereignty, sambul called for trade negotiations with the United States.

"No foreigner will give orders to this president," Lula said in a mandate using the word 'gringo', which in Brazil is a general term for foreigners without the degrading meaning contained in other regions of Latin America.

Lula said Brazil would continue regulations and taxation of US technology companies.

In a meeting of left-wing student activists in the state of Goias, Lula said technology companies were violent channels and fake news under the guise of freedom of expression.

Then on Thursday, in a late-night televised and radio address, Lula said his defense of Brazil's sovereignty included self-protection from the actions of foreign digital platforms.

In a nearly five-minute speech, Lula said Brazil had negotiated with the US on tariffs, and reiterated the Latin American country had submitted a proposal in May.

"We expect a response, and what we receive is unacceptable extortion, in the form of threats to Brazilian institutions and false information about trade between Brazil and the United States," said Lula.

Brazil has held discussions with industry groups and companies that will be affected by US tariffs, as well as preparing potential retaliatory measures if negotiations fail.

Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told CNN Brazil separately on Thursday that Lula is open to negotiating with Trump, who has not met each other.

"If the situation allows, they will speak," he said.

Lula, who served his third term as president of the country with the largest economy in Latin America, saw his acceptance rate begin to recover after a trade dispute with Trump last week.