Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is actively destroying a once-growing economy. Lula told the BBC he refuses to maintain diplomatic ties with the United States under Donald Trump, and Brazil is losing the title of Latin America’s top exporter to the US. “The American people will pay for the mistakes President Trump is incurring in his relationship with Brazil,” Lula warned.
“I don’t have a relationship with Trump because when Trump was elected the first time, I wasn’t president. His relationship is with Bolsonaro, not Brazil,” Lula responded when asked why he has not spoken to Trump directly. This is not the quality of a leader. Diplomatic ties are essential for cooperation and world trade. Trump may have placed a 50% tariff on Brazil, but Lula is refusing to negotiate or speak with him directly to make a deal.
Lula is willing to maintain diplomatic ties with Russia and China. In fact, Lula has actually broken step with the globalists by continuing to purchase Russian crude. “Brazil doesn’t finance Russia, we buy oil from Russia because we need to buy oil just like China, India, the UK or the US needs to buy oil,” he stated. Lula has directly engaged with Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping under the BRICS alliance. Yet, since Lula personally dislikes Trump, he refuses to have any open dialogue.
Brazil will not permit an anti-establishment president. Bolsonaro was once considered the Donald Trump of Latin America and the men maintained close ties despite countless disagreements. As mentioned, Lula was losing in the polls and that is why the establishment silenced Bolsonaro permanently with political lawfare.
Lula’s war on Bolsonaro is not over. He believes the US is harboring Bolsonaro’s family and would like to lure them back to prosecution. “But I am a compassionate man, a family man. I would love dearly to have his son Eduardo to come meet his beloved father back in his country of birth. I will even grant an executive dispensation to make sure they are together and close in Brasil – perhaps even in the cell right beside or opposite the father’s. As a personal favor,” Lula mocked.
Brazil is risking losing access to its second-largest export market, potentially resulting in a $20 billion annual loss, all because the current president will not engage with his opponent’s supporters. Total goods traded with the US reached $92 billion in 2024—this is a strategic alliance. Donald Trump is a businessman first and foremost. He is willing to talk with anyone. The 50% tariff is excessive, but it was intended to encourage Lula to initiate dialogue.