Brazil's President Lula da Silva Seeks Tariff Relief in Call with Trump

BRAZIL'S PRESIDENT ASKS US TO SCRAP TARIFFS IN 'FRIENDLY' CALL WITH TRUMP Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has urged the United States to scrap tariffs on Brazilian imports and sanctions against its officials during a video call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to the Brazilian presidency. The two leaders spoke on September 11, exchanging phone numbers after months of tension between their countries. The call was described as "friendly" by the Brazilian presidency, but details about the conversation remain scarce. Lula da Silva's office said in a statement that the president asked Trump to lift tariffs imposed on Brazilian goods earlier this year, which were introduced as part of a broader campaign to pressure Brazilian authorities into abandoning the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The U.S. had also sanctioned several Brazilian officials and revoked visas for Brazilians. The move was seen as an attempt by Trump to influence Brazil's domestic politics, but it backfired when Bolsonaro was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison on September 11. "Brazil will not be intimidated or influenced by foreign pressures," Lula da Silva said in a statement after the conviction. "We will continue to uphold our democratic institutions and the rule of law." A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Trump had spoken with Lula da Silva but declined to provide further details about their conversation. The introduction of tariffs has had significant economic implications for Brazil, which relies heavily on exports to the United States. The country's agricultural sector, in particular, has been hit hard by the measures. "Brazil is a major trading partner of the U.S., and it's essential that we maintain good relations with our neighbors," said Paulo Teixeira, an economist at the University of São Paulo. "The tariffs have had a negative impact on our economy, and lifting them would be a welcome move." However, some analysts believe that Trump's actions may have been motivated by more than just economic concerns. "Trump has a history of using trade policy as a tool to exert influence over other countries," said Daniel Drezner, a professor of international relations at Tufts University. "It's possible that he was trying to send a message to Lula da Silva about the importance of maintaining good relations with the U.S." The current status of the tariffs and sanctions remains unclear, but it is expected that the issue will be discussed further in upcoming diplomatic talks between the two countries. In the meantime, Lula da Silva's office has emphasized that Brazil will continue to uphold its democratic institutions and the rule of law, despite external pressures. *Reporting by Theguardian.*