Brazil's Lula Makes Urgent Plea to Trump: Lift Tariffs and End Sanctions Now

Brazil's Lula Asks Trump to Lift Tariffs in Video Call In a bid to ease trade tensions between the two countries, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva requested US President Donald Trump to remove tariffs on Brazilian goods and lift sanctions on Brazilian officials during a phone call on October 6, 2025. According to the presidential office in Brasília, the conversation lasted about 30 minutes, with Lula asking for the withdrawal of a 40% surcharge and an existing 10% levy on Brazilian exports. The Brazilian head of state also sought an end to restrictions on certain officials. Lula's office described the conversation as "friendly" and "positive." "We had an excellent chemistry," Trump said in a statement after the call, according to the UN General Assembly in New York. The tariffs were imposed in April in retaliation for what Trump has called a "witch hunt" against former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. The move affected a significant share of Brazil's exports to the US. Lula proposed that the two leaders meet in person soon, suggesting that the meeting take place during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia starting October 26. "Brazil is one of the three G20 countries with which the United States has a strategic partnership," Lula reminded Trump. "We must work together to strengthen our economic ties and promote mutual understanding." The phone call comes as both countries seek to improve their trade relations, which have been strained in recent years. The move is seen as a positive step towards easing tensions between the two nations. Background and Context Brazil and the US have had a complex relationship in recent years, with trade tensions rising under Trump's presidency. In 2020, Brazil imposed tariffs on US goods in response to Trump's decision to impose tariffs on Brazilian steel and aluminum exports. The current situation has raised concerns among businesses and economists about the impact of tariffs on trade between the two countries. The removal of tariffs would likely boost trade volumes and benefit both economies. Additional Perspectives Experts say that the phone call is a positive development, but more needs to be done to address the underlying issues. "The removal of tariffs is just the first step," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, an economist at the University of São Paulo. "We need to see concrete actions from both governments to improve trade relations and address the concerns of businesses." Current Status and Next Developments The phone call has sparked hope among businesses and economists that trade tensions between Brazil and the US will ease in the coming months. As the two leaders prepare for a meeting, stakeholders are watching closely to see if they can build on the momentum generated by the phone call. The outcome of their meeting will have significant implications for trade relations between the two countries. In the meantime, businesses and economists are urging both governments to take concrete steps to improve trade relations and address the concerns of businesses. *Reporting by Dw.*