Key Facts
• August 29, 2025: President Lula addressed Trump’s tariff hike on a radio program.
• Trump raised tariffs on Brazilian imports from 10% to a maximum of 50%.
• Affected goods include coffee and meat; orange juice and aircraft are exempt.
• Brazil’s Foreign Ministry instructed analysis of reciprocal measures under trade laws.
• Lula emphasized negotiation over immediate retaliation, calling the process time-consuming.
• Brazil’s Foreign Trade Secretary stated retaliation requires U.S. discussions.
• Trump criticized Brazil’s trade practices as unfair and defended the tariff increase.
• Trump also labeled Bolsonaro’s coup allegations as a “witch hunt.”
Summary
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated on August 29, 2025, that Brazil would not rush to retaliate against U.S. tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. The tariffs, raised from 10% to a maximum of 50%, target key Brazilian exports like coffee and meat but exclude products such as orange juice and aircraft. Lula emphasized the importance of negotiation over immediate action, acknowledging the lengthy process involved. Brazil’s Foreign Ministry has begun analyzing potential reciprocal measures under trade laws, while Foreign Trade Secretary Tatiana Prazeres highlighted the need for U.S. discussions before any action. Trump defended the tariff hike, citing unfair trade practices and criticizing Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro’s coup allegations as a “witch hunt.”
