‘Will not call Trump’: Brazil’s Lula refuses to contact US prez; 50% tariffs remain unresolved

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Tuesday mentioned he’ll not attain out to US President Donald Trump, saying, “I will not call Trump because he does not want to talk.” The assertion comes amid rising diplomatic tensions between Brazil and the United States, reviews information company Reuters.The rift follows Washington’s determination to impose a sweeping 50% tariff on Brazilian imports. Trump had earlier commented that Lula might “call him anytime” to focus on commerce disputes.Meanwhile, Brazilian finance minister Fernando Haddad known as Trump’s openness to speak “great” and mentioned Lula could be keen to obtain a call. However, Lula has made it clear he’ll not be the one to provoke it.The stress is not restricted to tariffs. The United States has additionally sanctioned Brazilian supreme court docket justice Alexandre de Moraes underneath the Magnitsky Act, citing alleged human rights violations linked to the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro is accused of plotting a coup following his 2022 election defeat and is underneath home arrest. Trump has known as the trial a “witch hunt.”Brazil has firmly rejected US claims of political persecution, stating its judiciary remains independent. Justice de Moraes has insisted he will ignore the sanctions and continue his duties.“This is a personalistic government that is adopting policies according to Trump’s whims,” mentioned Harvard political scientist Steven Levitsky, noting Bolsonaro’s shut ties with Trump’s inside circle.In a final attempt to ease tensions, a delegation of Brazilian senators travelled to Washington last month to present economic arguments and press for cooperation. They found that many US views on Brazil were “ideologically charged”.Brazilian officials have admitted they struggled to access key decision-makers in the White House.