In a short, but energetic, nationally televised speech to the Brazilian people on July 17, appearing on the President’s website under the title “Speech by President Lula: Sovereign Brazil,” President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva denounced Donald Trump’s tariff threats against his country as “unacceptable blackmail.” Reflecting the nationalist sentiment that has surged as a result of Trump’s outrageous threats against the country, the Brazilian President reminded the U.S. President that “there are no winners in tariff wars.” Brazil is a peaceful country, believes in multilateralism and cooperation among nations. “We have always been open to dialogue,” he said, but remember, above all, that “Brazil has only one owner—the Brazilian people.”
He reminded Trump that Brazil has an independent judiciary, respects due process and the presumption of innocence, the right to be heard and to a “broad defense.” Referring to Trump’s remarks about former President Jair Bolsonaro’s “shameful” treatment by the country’s legal system, which is investigating him for plotting a coup against Lula in January of 2023, Lula warned that “trying to interfere in Brazil’s justice system is a grave assault on national sovereignty.” He added that “my indignation is even greater knowing that this attack on Brazil is supported by some Brazilian politicians”—Bolsonaro clan and allies—"these are true traitors to the country … they don’t care about the country’s economy or the harm caused to our people.” He reminded Brazilians, “no one is above the law.”
