Brazil's Lula Declares 'No Relationship' with Trump Amid Trade Tensions

Wed Oct 22 2025 01:46:46 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a candid BBC interview, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reiterated his lack of communication with US President Trump, criticizing recent tariffs imposed on Brazilian goods and their impact on trade.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has publicly expressed his lack of relationship with US President Donald Trump, amid rising tensions over new tariffs affecting Brazilian exports. In a recent interview, Lula criticized Trump's approach to communication and the political motivations behind the tariffs, which he views as detrimental to both Brazilian and American consumers. Lula underscored his relationships with other world leaders and emphasized the importance of civilized dialogue in international relations. He also touched on broader issues like the UN's structure and Brazil's oil exploration policies, all while contemplating his political future in light of his health and party dynamics.

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has told the BBC in an exclusive interview that he has 'no relationship' with US President Donald Trump.

Lula has frequently criticised Trump, but this is the clearest signal yet that he thinks communication between him and his US counterpart is now broken.

Even though the US has a trade surplus with Brazil, Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods in July, citing the trial on coup charges of Brazil's right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro as a trigger.

Lula described the tariffs as 'eminently political' and said US consumers would be facing higher prices for Brazilian goods as a result.

The tariffs imposed by Trump have hit Brazilian exports to the US, like coffee and beef, which Lula said would become more expensive: 'The American people will pay for the mistakes President Trump is incurring in his relationship with Brazil.'

The two leaders have never spoken directly to each other. When pressed on why he had not just tried to pick up the phone or form a relationship, President Lula said: 'I never tried that call because he never wanted to have a conversation.'

Trump has previously said that Lula can 'call him anytime.' But Lula insisted that members of the Trump Administration 'do not want to talk'.

He told the BBC that he had found out about the US tariffs from Brazilian newspapers.

Referring to Trump, he said that the US president 'didn't communicate in a civilised manner. He just published them [the tariffs] on his portal - on social media.'

When asked how he would describe his relationship with his US counterpart he simply said: 'There's no relationship.'

Lula noted that his relations with the US leader are an exception, citing successful relationships with former US presidents, UK prime ministers, and other world leaders.

He mentioned his ongoing interactions with Russia and China, while also highlighting the need for reform in international institutions like the UN, reflecting on the limitations of its current structure which favors former WWII allies.

Lula defended Brazil's oil purchases amid geopolitical tensions, asserting that Brazil approaches energy needs methodically while focusing on responsible governance.

As political tides shift, Lula is contemplating his potential bid for re-election in 2026, evaluating factors like health and public sentiment.