Lula seeks a joint front with India and China against Trump’s tariffs
Photo: Palácio do Planalto.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to coordinate a joint reaction to the recent fifty percent tariff imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on exports from both countries. The measure, effective since August seventh, affects a wide range of products and was justified by the White House on political grounds, further escalating trade tensions.
During the call, Lula and Modi agreed on the importance of strengthening coordination within the BRICS bloc, which also includes China, Russia, and South Africa, as a platform to defend their trade interests. Lula believes the group could play a central role in shaping a collective political and legal response, including the possibility of lodging a joint complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Brazilian president ruled out direct talks with Trump, arguing that “there are no conditions of mutual respect” and that any negotiation should be conducted within a multilateral framework ensuring fairness between parties. According to Lula, an isolated response would weaken Brazil’s position in the face of what he views as a unilateral and discriminatory trade policy.
Brazil’s strategy also includes engaging China, a strategic partner and its top trading ally, to explore coordinated measures to offset the economic impact of the tariffs. Government sources indicated that Beijing shares concerns about the precedent such measures could set for other emerging markets.
Analysts suggest Lula’s move is aimed not only at mitigating the immediate economic impact but also at sending a message of unity among emerging economies in an increasingly protectionist global environment. A potential united BRICS front could shift the balance of power in trade negotiations with the United States and other key players.
* Original text in Spanish. Translated by Large Language Model (LLM) technology.
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