Trump and Brazil’s Lula Seek Truce After Trade Clash
President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a recent phone call—reported on Monday—marking the first substantive conversation since the U.S. imposed a 40% tariff on a range of Brazilian exports and opened a Section 301 probe. The White House framed the tariffs and targeted sanctions as a response to what it called 'judicial persecution' of former president Jair Bolsonaro (recently convicted and sentenced to 27 years), and both leaders indicated they will pursue further talks in coming weeks in Brasília and Washington to mend relations and address trade and energy disputes.
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International
Economy
📌 Key Facts
- The Trump administration earlier imposed a 40% tariff on Brazilian exports including petroleum, soybeans, sugar, coffee, and iron & steel.
- The White House directed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to initiate a Section 301 investigation into Brazilian government practices.
- The diplomatic outreach follows Jair Bolsonaro’s conviction and 27-year sentence, which the U.S. administration described as 'judicial persecution'; Trump publicly said the call was 'very good' on Truth Social.