Brazil's Lula Asks Trump to Lift Tariffs in "Friendly" Call, Seeking Improved Cooperation
In a significant development at the UN General Assembly in New York, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a direct appeal to former US President Donald Trump to lift tariffs on Brazilian goods and sanctions against its officials. According to the presidential office in Brasília, Lula requested the withdrawal of a 40% surcharge and an existing 10% levy on Brazilian exports during a 30-minute phone call with Trump.
The conversation comes after months of strained relations between the two countries, sparked by Trump's efforts to influence Brazil's prosecution of his ally Jair Bolsonaro. The US imposed a 50% tariff on a significant share of Brazil's exports in April, citing what Trump described as a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro.
Lula's request is seen as an opportunity for improved cooperation between the nations, particularly in areas such as Haiti, where both leaders may be able to work together on shared interests. According to The Guardian, the conversation was described as "friendly" by those involved, with Trump saying he and Lula shared "excellent chemistry."
The move is a significant shift in tone from previous months, when tensions between the two countries were running high. In April, Trump had accused Brazil of being part of a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro, who was ousted as president after losing an election to Lula.
Lula's office stated that the Brazilian leader requested the removal of tariffs and sanctions in order to improve trade relations between the two nations. The move is seen as a key step towards improving cooperation on issues such as Haiti, where both leaders have expressed interest in working together.
The exact details of what was discussed during the call remain unclear, but it is understood that Lula emphasized the importance of lifting tariffs and sanctions for Brazilian businesses. According to Deutsche Welle, Trump said he and Lula shared "excellent chemistry" during their conversation.
Experts say that the move could be a significant step towards improving relations between the two countries. "This is a positive development," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, an expert on US-Latin American relations at Georgetown University. "Lifting tariffs and sanctions would be a major step forward for Brazilian businesses and would demonstrate a commitment to cooperation."
The current status of the situation remains unclear, but it is understood that Lula's office will continue to push for the removal of tariffs and sanctions. The next steps in this process are uncertain, but one thing is clear: the conversation between Trump and Lula marks a significant shift towards improved cooperation between the two nations.
In a statement, Lula's office said: "The President emphasized the importance of lifting tariffs and sanctions to improve trade relations between Brazil and the US. He also highlighted the need for greater cooperation on issues such as Haiti."
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the conversation between Trump and Lula marks a significant step towards improved cooperation between the two nations.
This story was compiled from reports by Deutsche Welle and The Guardian.
