Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced on Tuesday his readiness to directly contact former U.S. President Donald Trump if ongoing negotiations concerning U.S. tariffs on Brazilian goods fail to advance. Speaking in Belém, a city in the Amazon region, ahead of the United Nations’ climate summit, Lula emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving trade disputes. The U.S. has recently imposed tariffs exceeding 50% on numerous Brazilian products, prompting discussions between the two leaders aimed at reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. Lula confidently stated, ‘I have his number, he has mine. I have no trouble in calling him,’ underscoring his commitment to diplomatic engagement. Additionally, Lula called on Latin American nations to collaborate in preventing conflict in Venezuela, where the Trump administration has authorized military actions against vessels allegedly tied to drug cartels. He highlighted the region’s commitment to peace, recalling his previous discussions with Trump on the matter. Lula also referenced former U.S. President George W. Bush’s involvement in stabilizing Venezuela following the 2002 coup attempt against then-President Hugo Chávez, urging Trump to heed such historical precedents. The Brazilian leader is considering attending a meeting in Colombia next week, where U.S. military actions in Latin America will be a key topic of discussion at the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), a 33-member organization.
Brazil’s Lula to call Trump if tariff talks stall, pushes against conflict in Venezuela
