Bolsonaro is currently on trial over accusations of trying to stage a coup following his 2022 election defeat. Trump’s comments pulled Brazil directly into his larger trade and political disputes, making Lula’s response both diplomatic and defiant.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signaled a firm stance in response to President Donald Trump’s threat to impose sweeping 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian goods, set to take effect August 1. The tariff announcement explicitly linked to Brazil’s ongoing criminal trial of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro sparked strong pushback from Brasília.