Trump says Brazilian President Lula can call him ‘anytime’ amid tariff row

“He can talk to me anytime he wants,” Trump said at the White House, adding he liked the Brazilian people but believed “the people running Brazil did the wrong thing.”

By: Express Web Desk
Updated: August 2, 2025 09:57 AM IST

2 min read

Tensions escalated this week after Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, set to take effect next week. (AP Photos)

US President Donald Trump on Friday extended an open invitation to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, saying he is welcome to call him “anytime” to discuss recent tensions, including new US tariffs. “He can talk to me anytime he wants,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that while he liked the Brazilian people, “the people running Brazil did the wrong thing.”

In response, Brazil’s Finance Minister Fernando Haddad described Trump’s remarks as “great,” telling reporters in Brasília that he was sure Lula shared that sentiment and would be open to speaking with the US President. While Lula did not refer to Trump directly, he posted on social media platform X that Brazil remains open to dialogue.

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Tariffs and sanctions

Tensions escalated this week after Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, set to take effect next week. The move, according to Trump, is aimed at countering what he labelled a “witch hunt” against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial over alleged coup plotting after losing the 2022 election.

The US also imposed sanctions on a Brazilian Supreme Court justice involved in overseeing Bolsonaro’s trial, actions Lula has publicly condemned as “unjustifiable” and an “unacceptable” interference in Brazil’s internal affairs.

Also Read: | Trump’s bizarre threat to punish Brazil for acting like a democracy will backfire on Americans

Haddad said he is set to hold a virtual meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent next week, which could serve as a stepping stone for a potential meeting between Trump and Lula. However, he noted that any such conversation would need careful preparation.

Earlier this week, Haddad voiced concern about the way Lula might be treated by the Trump administration. He cited the example of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who faced criticism from Trump and Vice President JD Vance during a tense White House encounter earlier this year.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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