Brazil’s Finance Minister Urges Lula to Contact Trump Over Pending US Tariffs

Finance Minister Dario Durigan said President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva should either send a letter or call U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss possible new tariffs on Brazilian products recommended by the U.S. Trade Representative but not yet imposed. Durigan added he is ready to speak with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and noted that Development Minister Márcio Elias Rosa is already in talks with U.S. trade representative Jameson Greer.

Durigan emphasized Brazil’s trade deficit with the United States weakens any economic case for broad tariffs and argued that current frictions are sector‑specific, citing issues such as ethanol duties and the treatment of large technology firms. He said Brazil will present its “best arguments” to U.S. officials in an effort to prevent the tariffs from being enacted.