Lula returns to defend Pix after being charged and says that 'against Brazil, no one wins by lying'

During an agenda in Rio de Janeiro, Lula said that "against Brazil, no one wins by lying."

"I'll leave it to talk about tariffs when Trump speaks. When Trump speaks, I'll speak. Until he speaks, I won't speak because we're going to show that against Brazil, no one wins by lying. Either he's more truthful than us or he won't deceive Brazilian society," he said.

"Since the coup against Dilma [Rousseff], this country has been paralyzed. This country needs to hold its head high because the country does not accept any other country in the world challenging Brazil. We want respect in the same way that we give respect to everyone."

Lula visited the facilities of the women's health department at Fiocruz, in Manguinhos, north of Rio de Janeiro. The mobile unit offers preventive health screenings.

The United States government confirmed on Wednesday night (15) the implementation of 25% tariffs against products from Brazil. The measure had been proposed by the USTR (Office of the US Trade Representative) last month and concludes the investigation started in July last year.

The new tariffs should come into force next Wednesday (22), according to the American government.

Earlier, Lula's profiles on social media published an image with the phrase "no one is going to change our Pix. It's public, it's free and it will stay that way". "Our sovereignty cannot be negotiated", says the publication's caption.

Lula mentions Pix because the payment method was one of the main targets of the tariff investigation. The report accuses the Brazilian Central Bank of favoring Pix in an unfair and discriminatory way in relation to other payment methods.

The US used Section 301 of the 1974 trade law, which allows the country to impose tariffs on those who violate trade agreements, understanding this to be the Brazilian case.

The USTR said that tariffs on Brazilian products could be reduced or increased, depending on Brazil's reaction.

According to the Brazilian government, the tariff affects 18% of Brazilian exports to the USA, or US$7.4 billion, considering figures from 2024.

The CNI (National Confederation of Industries) has bigger calculations: it estimates US$11 billion at risk, equivalent to 26% of exports to the American country.

The Lula government announced on Thursday (16) reinforcement of the Brasil Soberano program, which offers credit lines to businesspeople affected by the tariff.

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