Brazil’s President Lula Da Silva Rejects Trump’s Tariff Talks Offer, Says He’ll Call Modi and Xi Instead

Brasilia: In a pointed diplomatic message, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva publicly declined US President Donald Trump’s invitation for direct talks on tariffs, signaling instead his intent to reach out to global counterparts he considers more aligned with Brazil’s current foreign policy objectives — specifically Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Speaking at an event in Brasília, Lula brushed off Trump’s previous offer to “call anytime,” stating, “I am not going to call Trump to negotiate anything, because he doesn’t want to talk.” He added that while he won’t initiate trade negotiations with the US President, he will “have the courtesy” to call him — but only to invite him to the upcoming COP climate summit. “I will call him, I will call Xi Jinping, I will call Prime Minister Modi,” Lula said, underlining Brazil’s shifting engagement priorities.

Notably absent from Lula’s list was Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Lula said he would not contact because “he cannot travel right now” — a likely reference to Putin’s restricted international movement due to arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court.

Lula’s remarks come amid growing tensions between the United States and Brazil, triggered by Trump’s imposition of steep 50% tariffs on key Brazilian exports. The US administration cited Brazil’s domestic legal actions — particularly the prosecution of US-based social media platforms and the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro — as justification for the hike. Bolsonaro, a staunch Trump ally, is currently facing legal proceedings over alleged attempts to overturn the 2022 election results.

While Trump last week told reporters that Lula could “talk to me anytime he wants,” the Brazilian President’s cold response reflects a deeper geopolitical recalibration. India, China, Russia, and Brazil — along with South Africa — form the BRCIS bloc, which Washington increasingly views as a counterweight to Western economic dominance.

Despite Lula’s public snub, Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad earlier expressed a more conciliatory tone, saying Lula “feels the same” about dialogue and welcomed Trump’s offer. However, it appears Lula’s patience has worn thin, particularly as key export sectors like coffee, beef, and orange juice face economic setbacks due to US tariff measures.

Brasilia: In a pointed diplomatic message, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva publicly declined US President Donald Trump’s invitation for direct talks on tariffs, signaling instead his intent to reach out to global counterparts he considers more aligned with Brazil’s current foreign policy objectives — specifically Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Speaking at an event in Brasília, Lula brushed off Trump’s previous offer to “call anytime,” stating, “I am not going to call Trump to negotiate anything, because he doesn’t want to talk.” He added that while he won’t initiate trade negotiations with the US President, he will “have the courtesy” to call him — but only to invite him to the upcoming COP climate summit. “I will call him, I will call Xi Jinping, I will call Prime Minister Modi,” Lula said, underlining Brazil’s shifting engagement priorities.

Notably absent from Lula’s list was Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Lula said he would not contact because “he cannot travel right now” — a likely reference to Putin’s restricted international movement due to arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court.

Lula’s remarks come amid growing tensions between the United States and Brazil, triggered by Trump’s imposition of steep 50% tariffs on key Brazilian exports. The US administration cited Brazil’s domestic legal actions — particularly the prosecution of US-based social media platforms and the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro — as justification for the hike. Bolsonaro, a staunch Trump ally, is currently facing legal proceedings over alleged attempts to overturn the 2022 election results.

While Trump last week told reporters that Lula could “talk to me anytime he wants,” the Brazilian President’s cold response reflects a deeper geopolitical recalibration. India, China, Russia, and Brazil — along with South Africa — form the BRCIS bloc, which Washington increasingly views as a counterweight to Western economic dominance.

Despite Lula’s public snub, Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad earlier expressed a more conciliatory tone, saying Lula “feels the same” about dialogue and welcomed Trump’s offer. However, it appears Lula’s patience has worn thin, particularly as key export sectors like coffee, beef, and orange juice face economic setbacks due to US tariff measures.