Brazil’s President Lula Condemns Trump’s Tariff Threats As ‘Unacceptable Blackmail’

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has strongly condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose steep tariffs on Brazilian goods, calling the move “unacceptable blackmail” during a nationally televised address on Thursday.

The remarks mark the latest escalation in a growing diplomatic rift between the two leaders. Trump announced on July 9 his intention to levy a 50 percent tariff on all Brazilian imports, citing what he described as a politically motivated “witch hunt” against his ally and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

The proposed tariffs, scheduled to take effect on August 1, come amid ongoing U.S. investigations into what Washington has labelled Brazil’s “unfair trading practices”.

In response, the Brazilian government has expressed willingness to negotiate but maintains that the punitive measures are politically charged.

Lula, a leftist leader, criticized Trump’s threats and denounced Brazilian politicians who support Trump’s agenda, calling them “traitors to the homeland”. Despite the rising tensions, he reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to maintaining strong commercial and diplomatic relations with the United States.

“Brazil has only one owner: the Brazilian people,” Lula said, rejecting foreign interference in the country’s internal affairs.

The controversy stems in part from Bolsonaro’s ongoing legal troubles. He is currently facing trial for allegedly plotting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election, which he narrowly lost to Lula. A conviction could result in a prison sentence of up to 40 years.

Earlier on Thursday, Trump posted a letter to Bolsonaro on his Truth Social platform, demanding that Lula’s government “change course” and stop what he described as persecution of his political ally.

“I have seen the terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unjust system,” Trump wrote. “I have strongly voiced my disapproval both publicly and through our tariff policy.”

He also raised concerns about free speech, appearing to reference the recent suspension of the video platform Rumble in Brazil, following its refusal to block content flagged for disinformation.

Lula has used Trump’s actions to rally national unity, framing the tariff threats as unwarranted U.S. interference in Brazilian sovereignty. His administration sent a formal letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, expressing “indignation” over the proposed tariffs and requesting clarification on the specific trade concerns cited by Washington.

Unlike other global tariff disputes initiated by Trump, the measures against Brazil were explicitly political in nature. Brazil had not previously been among the nations targeted by tariffs exceeding the standard 10 percent baseline—making the move especially provocative.

Despite the escalating rhetoric, Brazil has signalled it remains open to diplomatic dialogue in hopes of averting a full-blown trade conflict.