President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) stated this Friday (14) that he intends to “beat the United States through narrative” in the face of the tariffs imposed by the North American government on Brazil. In an interview, the PT member also defended the adoption of the Reciprocity Law and said that the US taxed Brazilian products “based on lies”.
Lula adopts reciprocity and says that the US taxes the country 'based on lies'
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) stated this Friday (14) that he intends to “beat the United States through narrative” in the face of the tariffs imposed by the North American government on Brazil. In an interview, the PT member...
Lula declared that he intends to maintain a positive relationship with the United States, but highlighted that Brazil needs to demonstrate that it demands equivalent treatment in relations between the two countries. I already said, with lies no one can beat Brazil.
- The president added that he wants to preserve a good relationship with the Americans.
- According to him, the Brazilian government began, on Thursday (13), the process to apply the Reciprocity Law, as a way of showing that the country is “no small feat”.
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Lula declared that he intends to maintain a positive relationship with the United States, but highlighted that Brazil needs to demonstrate that it demands equivalent treatment in relations between the two countries.
"What do I have? The truth. My conscience and the truth of my people. I already said, with lies no one can beat Brazil. And I will beat the United States through narrative. They taxed Brazil based on lies", he stated.
The president added that he wants to preserve a good relationship with the Americans. According to him, the Brazilian government began, on Thursday (13), the process to apply the Reciprocity Law, as a way of showing that the country is “no small feat”.
The measures were announced after tariffs imposed by the US government on Brazilian products, which reach 37.5%. The Reciprocity Law, unanimously approved by Congress and sanctioned by Lula in 2025, allows Brazil to apply measures, restrictions or tariffs equivalent to those it suffered to another country.
Lula rejects escalation of conflict
Despite criticism of the American government, Lula stated that he does not intend to expand the conflict. “I don’t want war, I want to discuss it seriously”, he declared.
The president acknowledged that Brazil does not have the same military power as the United States, but stated that he has arguments to contest the accusations made against the country. He also said he believes he will be able to defend the Brazilian position through narrative.
Lula also criticized some justifications presented by the Americans for imposing restrictions on Brazil. According to him, allegations that the country buys products from slave labor and does not combat deforestation are unfounded.
The statements were made during an interview with the podcasts “Não Inviabilize” and “As Cunhãs”, held at Palácio da Alvorada.
Relationship with Donald Trump
Lula also stated that he seeks to maintain a cordial relationship with the President of the United States, Donald Trump. The PT member said he intends to speak directly with the American over the phone, in a “tête-à-tête” conversation.
According to Lula, the two maintain respectful treatment and must preserve an institutional relationship between the two largest democracies on the continent.
The president also stated that he intends to ask Trump not to interfere in Brazilian internal affairs, especially in the elections.
“I'm going to say: don't get involved in Brazil's business and, above all, in the issue of the election”, he declared. Lula questioned why Trump would interfere in the Brazilian electoral process, since he himself would never have been involved in the American elections.
2026 electoral dispute
The statements come during the 2026 electoral race, in which Lula is running for re-election. In recent weeks, the president has increased his participation in podcasts and digital channels, seeking to reach younger audiences and expand his presence on social media.
Recently, he participated in the podcast “Inteligência Ltda.”, where he spoke about the campaign, economy, government programs and political topics.
Election advertising on radio and television will officially begin on August 28th. This Thursday (13), Lula also began recording the first videos that will be used in the campaign and communication strategy of the PT and its allies.
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