President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated on Wednesday (9) that Brazil will respond to the 50% tariff on all its exports to the United States by invoking the Reciprocity Law.
On social media, the president defended Brazil’s sovereignty and rejected the claim by US President Donald Trump that the tariff is due to a trade deficit.
“Any unilateral tariff increase will be met with a response based on Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law. Sovereignty, respect, and the unwavering defense of the Brazilian people’s interests are the values that guide our relations with the world,” the president said.
The law authorizes the Executive Branch, in coordination with the private sector, to “adopt countermeasures such as restrictions on the import of goods and services or the suspension of trade concessions, investments, and obligations related to intellectual property rights, as well as other commitments established in any of the country’s trade agreements.”
The Brazilian government refutes the claim of a trade deficit with the US, stating: “The US government’s own statistics show that the country recorded a surplus of approximately US$ 410 billion in goods and services trade with Brazil over the last 15 years.”
Lula also stated that Brazil is a sovereign country “with independent institutions that will not accept being controlled by anyone.”
In the document sent to the Brazilian president, Trump mentions former President Jair Bolsonaro. He also refers to orders from the Federal Supreme Court issued against Bolsonaro supporters residing in the United States.
“The judicial proceedings against those who planned the coup attempt are the exclusive responsibility of the Brazilian Judiciary and, therefore, are not subject to any interference or threat that could compromise the independence of national institutions,” Lula responded.
The Brazilian president also responded to Trump’s criticism of Federal Supreme Court decisions against social media profiles involved in hate speech and the dissemination of fake news. Lula stated that “in the context of digital platforms, Brazilian society rejects content that promotes hatred, racism, child pornography, scams, frauds, and speech against human rights and democratic freedoms.”
“In Brazil, freedom of expression is not confused with aggression or violent practices. To operate in our country, all national and foreign companies are subject to Brazilian law,” he wrote.
Before publishing the statement, President Lula coordinated an emergency meeting at the Palácio do Planalto, attended by ministers Fernando Haddad (Finance), Mauro Vieira (Foreign Affairs), Rui Costa (Chief of Staff), and Sidônio Palmeira (Secretariat of Communication), as well as the vice-president and Minister of Development, Industry, and Trade, Geraldo Alckmin.
Source: Agência Brasil