Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has responded firmly to criticism from US President Donald Trump. Lula defended the conviction of his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro and criticized Washington’s new tariff policy on Brazilian imports.
Bolsonaro Trial Sparks Tensions
Last week, Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced Bolsonaro to 27 years and 3 months in prison for plotting a coup. Four out of five justices found him guilty on all charges. Bolsonaro’s lawyers plan to appeal.
Trump reacted sharply, calling the verdict a “witch hunt.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the US would “respond accordingly.”
Lula dismissed these comments, saying the case was handled under Brazil’s 1988 Constitution. “The judgement was not a witch hunt,” he wrote in The New York Times. “It followed due process in line with our democratic institutions.”
Lula Challenges US Tariffs
Tensions escalated further when Trump announced a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian imports. Lula described the decision as “not only misguided but illogical.”
He noted that over the past 15 years, the US has held a trade surplus with Brazil. According to him, the tariffs are politically motivated, designed to shield Bolsonaro from accountability.
“The US government is using tariffs and the Magnitsky Act to seek impunity for former President Jair Bolsonaro,” Lula argued.
Defending Brazil’s Sovereignty
Lula also rejected US claims that Brazil’s courts unfairly target American tech firms. He insisted that regulating the internet is a sovereign right and that no company faces discrimination.
The president ended his essay with a direct message to Trump. He said Brazil is open to negotiations “that can bring mutual benefits.” However, he warned that “Brazil’s democracy and sovereignty are not on the table.”
A New Era of Relations
The exchange highlights the growing rift between Washington and Brasília. It also underscores the sharp contrast with the Trump–Bolsonaro years, when the two right-wing leaders enjoyed warm personal ties.
