Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday said that he would not take orders from a “gringo”, responding to US President Donald Trump’s letter slapping Brazil with 50 per cent tariffs.
In a letter last week, Trump attributed the tariffs, set to start in August, to Brazil’s treatment of former president Jair Bolsonaro and to alleged unfair trade practices by Brazil against US companies.
Lula and members of his cabinet have rejected the reasoning behind the tariffs and insisted on Brazil’s sovereignty, while calling for trade negotiations with the United States.
“No gringo is going to give orders to this president,” Lula said, as he addressed a gathering of leftist student activists. In Brazil, “gringo” is a common term for foreigners.
He added that Brazil would go forward with regulation and taxation of US tech firms, alleging that they promoted violence and fake news under the argument of freedom of expression.
Foreign Relations Minister Mauro Vieira told CNN Brasil separately on Thursday that Lula was open to talks with Trump, though they had not yet met. “If the circumstances are given, they will speak,” he added.
Brasilia has been holding discussions with industry groups and companies affected by the US tariff, while also readying potential retaliatory measures if talks fall through.
Lula, who is in his third non-consecutive term as president of Latin America’s largest economy, saw his approval ratings start to rebound after the trade row with Trump last week.