The Brazilian Leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva States He Has No Relationship With Former US President Trump
During an fresh interview, Brazil’s Head of State Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized that he holds “absolutely no rapport” in any way with ex- American leader Donald Trump.
The Brazilian leader repeatedly condemned Trump, but this is the strongest signal so far that in his view exchange between the both leaders is currently totally nonexistent.
Trade Tensions and Duties
Despite the US maintaining a trade surplus with Brazil, Trump imposed tariffs of fifty percent on the country’s products back in the summer.
The president described these tariffs as “clearly politically motivated” and noted that American consumers would soon see elevated prices for Brazilian items.
“The American citizens will pay for the errors Mr. Trump is making in his dealings with our country.”
Lack of Communication
The two leaders never once spoken one-on-one. When asked regarding the reason he did not tried to call Trump, Lula stated: “I never attempted that call as he did not wish to have a discussion.”
Although Trump previously claimed that Lula could “contact him whenever,” he asserted that members of the former administration “did not want to talk.”
Additionally, he mentioned that he first learned about the US tariffs from Brazilian newspapers.
Speaking about the former US leader, Lula noted that the president “did not reach out in a respectful manner. He simply published them on his social media.”
‘He Is No Ruler of the World!’
The Brazilian president pointed out that his difficult relations with the US leader are the exception, adding that he has built positive ties with former American leaders, UK prime ministers, the European Union, China, Ukrainian leaders, Venezuela and “most countries globally.”
When questioned about who he had a stronger relationship with – Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin – Lula defended his relationship with Putin, noting they had formed them when both served as presidents “in the past.”
“I don’t have relationship with Trump as when he was elected, I wasn’t president. His connection was with Bolsonaro, not with Brazil.”
Additionally, he remarked that if he passed Trump at the upcoming international summit, he would “say hello since I am a polite person,” but he noted that he may be “president of the United States, however he’s not supreme ruler of the world!”
Remarks on Bolsonaro and Election Allegations
Lula also spoke on his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, who was recently convicted by Brazil’s highest court.
A four-to-one decision, justices found the former leader culpable of plotting a coup following being defeated in the presidential race to President Lula and sentenced him to over two decades in prison.
Lula said that Bolsonaro and his allies had “harmed the nation, tried to carry out a coup, and planned my death.”
He also condemned Donald Trump for “spreading untruths” by stating that Bolsonaro was being unfairly treated and denouncing the state of democratic institutions in Brazil.
Lula also commented that if the 6 January events in Washington had taken place in Brazil rather than the United States, the former president would have been prosecuted.
UN Changes and International Affairs
During the broad conversation, the president further called for restructuring of the international body.
He questioned the fact that five nations – the permanent five of the Security Council – hold the authority to block decisions and claimed that this biased the scale in support of those who were victorious in WWII, ignoring countries representing billions of people including his country, Germany, the Indians, Japan, along with many African nations.
As a result, Lula argued, the United Nations doesn’t “possess the power to solve conflicts” and the P5 permanent members take “unilateral” choices about military action.
Oil and Climate Policy
Interviewers further asked Lula about the upcoming COP30 climate summit, where the country will host world leaders in the Amazonian city of Belém do Pará.
At home, the Brazilian president has encountered opposition over his endorsement for future drilling for oil close to the delta of the Amazon River.
The country’s national oil firm Petrobas and other companies have acquired blocks for drilling and are awaiting permits.
His own environment minister, Silva, has vocally opposed the plans, and several conservation groups are concerned it could increase the chance of leaks in areas adjacent to the Amazon.
Lula stated that the government was carefully complying with the law in its studies and that if any oil spills, then “Brazil would be accountable and address any consequences.”
He also said that he supported a world free from fossil fuels but “the transition did not arrive now.”
“I want to know of any nation that is prepared to undertake an energy transition and willing of phasing out traditional energy.”
Lula, who is seventy-nine years old, noted that he had not yet decided if he will seek re-election in the 2026 vote.
He said that his well-being and his party would decide that – along with whether it was strategically advantageous and whether he stood a opportunity of winning.
His dropped in the opinion surveys recently, however gained a rise after Trump introduced tariffs on Brazil.
He concluded, Lula said that his legacy involved lowering {hunger|food insecurity