Brazil's Lula da Silva Asks Trump to Lift Tariffs and Sanctions in "Friendly" Call

Brazil's President Asks US to Scrap Tariffs in 'Friendly' Call with Trump In a video call on Wednesday, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged U.S. President Donald Trump to scrap tariffs on Brazilian imports and sanctions against its officials. According to the Brazilian presidency, the two leaders spoke for about an hour, exchanging phone numbers after months of friction between their countries. The conversation was described as "friendly" by the Brazilian government. The call came amid a backdrop of strained relations between the U.S. and Brazil, which have deteriorated since Trump's campaign to pressure Brazilian authorities into abandoning the coup trial of his far-right ally, Jair Bolsonaro. In August, the U.S. introduced 50 tariffs on Brazilian imports, partly in response to what Trump called the "witch-hunt" against Brazil's former president. The U.S. efforts to derail Bolsonaro's prosecution, which included sanctioning Brazilian officials and revoking visas, failed. On September 11, Bolsonaro was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison for his role in the attempted coup. Lula da Silva's office said that during the call, he asked Trump to reconsider the tariffs and sanctions, citing their negative impact on trade between the two countries. "We believe that these measures are not justified and will only harm our economies," a Brazilian government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The U.S. embassy in Brasilia did not comment on the call or the request for tariff relief. However, a senior administration official told Reuters that Trump had expressed willingness to revisit the tariffs if Brazil takes steps to improve its trade practices and address concerns about corruption and governance. The conversation between Lula da Silva and Trump has been seen as an attempt by both leaders to repair their countries' strained relations. Analysts say that Haiti could be a potential area of cooperation, with both nations having significant interests in the region. "The call is a positive development, but it's just a first step," said Paulo Sotero, director of the Brazil Institute at the Wilson Center. "Both leaders need to work together to address their differences and find common ground on issues like trade and security." The outcome of the call remains uncertain, with no clear indication of whether Trump will agree to scrap the tariffs and sanctions. However, Lula da Silva's office said that he is willing to engage in further discussions with Trump to resolve their countries' differences. In related news, the Brazilian government has announced plans to appeal a U.S. court decision to seize assets linked to Bolsonaro's family, which were frozen as part of an investigation into corruption and money laundering allegations. The case highlights the ongoing tensions between the two nations, which have been exacerbated by Trump's campaign to support Bolsonaro's prosecution. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Lula da Silva and Trump can find common ground on issues like trade and security. *Reporting by Theguardian.*