Brazil's President Lula Addresses US Tariffs and Trump Feud

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva gave an interview to The New York Times expressing his views on the strained diplomatic relations with the United States, particularly concerning President Trump's threatened tariffs. Lula stated that the proposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, intended to influence the criminal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro, are unwarranted and would harm both Brazilian and American consumers. He emphasized that Brazil's legal processes are constitutional and that Bolsonaro has the right to a defense. Lula also revealed that efforts to communicate directly with the Trump administration to de-escalate the situation have been unsuccessful, despite Brazil's attempts to engage through various ministers and trade meetings.