Lula and Trump hold 80-minute call to discuss trade tariffs and security FAST-MOVING

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held an 80-minute telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump to address escalating trade tensions and security cooperation. Lula contested the validity of recent U.S. tariffs on Brazilian products, which include rates of 25% and 12.5% based on allegations regarding deforestation, intellectual property, the Pix payment system, and forced labor. Lula described these claims as “infundadas” (unfounded) and argued that the tariffs negatively impact both economies.

In response, Trump agreed on the importance of maintaining strong commercial ties and proposed that technical teams from both nations meet soon to resume bilateral negotiations. This follows Brazil's recent move to initiate a process under the Economic Reciprocity Law.

The leaders also discussed security and global conflicts. Lula reiterated Brazil's interest in cooperating with the U.S. to combat organized crime but rejected the U.S. classification of Brazilian factions, such as the PCC and Comando Vermelho, as terrorist organizations, asserting that Brazil possesses its own effective legal and financial tools to address these groups. Additionally, both presidents discussed the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, agreeing on the urgency of negotiated solutions for international conflicts.