Brazilian President Rejects Trump’s Tariff Threats, Calls U.S. Move ‘Unacceptable Blackmail’

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva rejected U.S. tariff threats, declaring he would not take orders from a "foreigner"—referring to the U.S. President Donald Trump. Lula described the new U.S. threatened duties as "unacceptable blackmail."

The comments, made during two separate events, intensified the spat between the two leaders that escalated when the U.S. announced a 50% tariff on Brazil last week. Trump justified the tariffs set to start in August, by citing Brazil’s treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro and alleging unfair trade practices targeting American companies.  The tariff announcement came days after Lula called Trump an "emperor" the world does not want, reported Reuters.

Responding to the announcement, Lula reaffirmed Brazil’s sovereignty and dismissed Trump’s rationale. “No foreigner is going to give orders to this president,” he said during a speech in Goiás, using the Brazilian slang term gringo, typically used without negative connotations in Brazil unlike parts of Latin America.

He further added that Brazil will proceed with plans to regulate and tax U.S. tech firms operating in the country, arguing they serve as “conduits of violence and fake news disguised as freedom of expression.”

Later that evening, in a televised address to the nation, Lula reinforced his stance, saying Brazil’s defense of sovereignty also includes protection from the influence of foreign digital platforms. 

He noted that Brazil had submitted a tariff proposal to the U.S. in May but received no formal response—only what he called "unacceptable blackmail," including misinformation and threats against Brazilian institutions.

The Brazilian government is currently in talks with industry leaders and companies likely to be impacted by the tariff and is preparing potential retaliatory measures if negotiations fail.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told CNN Brasil that while Lula and Trump have not yet met, the Brazilian president remains open to dialogue. "If the circumstances are right, they will speak," Vieira said.

Lula, now in his third non-consecutive term leading Latin America’s largest economy, has seen a rebound in approval ratings since the onset of the trade dispute.

With inputs from Reuters.