Brazil's Lula: I'm in no rush to reciprocate U.S. tariffs on Brazil goods, process will take some time

Brazil's Lula: I'm in no rush to reciprocate U.S. tariffs on Brazil goods, process will take some time

Brazil's President Lula da Silva has indicated that he is not in a hurry to reciprocate the U.S. tariffs imposed on Brazilian goods. Speaking at a press conference on July 2, 2025, Lula stated that the process of evaluating and responding to the U.S. tariffs would take some time. This stance comes amidst ongoing tensions between Brazil and the United States over various political and legal issues [1].

The U.S. has imposed a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian exports, a move that has been widely criticized by Brazilian officials. President Lula has called the tariffs "arbitrary and baseless," and has accused the U.S. of attempting to influence Brazil's legal system. The visa cancellations for Brazilian officials, including Supreme Court justices and Health Ministry representatives, have further strained relations between the two countries [2].

Brazil's Health Minister Alexandre Padilha, whose family's visas were revoked, described the decision as "cowardly" and accused the U.S. of targeting those unwilling to submit to political pressure. The Institutional Relations Minister Gleisi Hoffmann has also criticized the visa cancellations and praised Padilha's efforts to save lives during the pandemic [1].

The U.S. decision to cancel visas for Brazilian officials has raised concerns about the impact on bilateral relations and the potential for further escalation of tensions. Brazilian officials have expressed outrage and are ready to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution [3].

In response to the U.S. tariffs, Brazil has not yet announced any reciprocal measures. President Lula has stated that the process of evaluating the tariffs and considering a response will take some time. This approach is likely an attempt to avoid further escalation of tensions and to give Brazil time to assess the impact of the tariffs on its economy.

References:
[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/lula-canceling-visas-brazil-officials-unacceptable-2508/
[2] https://www.mk.co.kr/en/world/11404417
[3] https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/