Brazilian President Strict Criticism Of 50 Percent US Tariffs, Ready To Discuss With Trump

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva with President Prabowo Subianto/PHOTO via Instagram @lulaoficial

JAKARTA - Brazilian President Luiz In Goodycio Lula da Silva said the 50 percent tariff the United States imposed on Brazilian goods was a wrong decision.

Lula conveyed this during a press conference at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Friday, October 24.

The statement came when Lula was asked about her planned meeting with US President Donald Trump at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia this weekend.

"I am ready to defend Brazil's interests and show that the tariff is wrong. I will prove it with data and numbers," said Lula as quoted by ANTARA.

He explained that the meeting with Trump had been awaited for a long time. Despite obstacles in tariff negotiations, Lula emphasized that Brazil is always open to dialogue and negotiations.

Lula also said he was supported by three reliable negotiators: Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, and Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.

He believes that talks about tariffs can reach a common ground.

"I believe, there is no problem that cannot be resolved if two people have good intentions to sit down together," he said.

Lula explained that her meeting with Trump would take place openly, without any topic bans including the issue of US sanctions against Brazilian Supreme Court judges.

The sanctions are related to the verdict against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is declared to have led a criminal group seeking to thwart the results of the 2022 election. Trump previously called the verdict a form of political persecution.

Brazil and the US are big countries. There is no taboo topic. This meeting will be free and open. We will hear everything, including what we may not want to hear," said Lula.

In July 2025, Trump signed an additional 40 percent tariff policy for Brazilian goods, bringing the total tariff to 50 percent.