Trump's audacious challenge met by Brazil's resilience
In the global political landscape, Brazil, under the leadership of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is adopting a more diplomatic, sovereignty-focused, and multilateral approach. This shift, which contrasts with the previous administration, is evident in Brazil's stance towards the United States and its approach to trade disputes.
Brazil, a historic ally of the U.S., values its economic relationship with its northern neighbour. However, Lula has been firm in defending Brazil’s sovereignty and independence, particularly in the domain of trade and diplomacy. In August 2025, the U.S. announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian products, linked to domestic politics and trade practices. In response, Lula has expressed the intention to negotiate persistently to avoid these tariffs but is also prepared to impose countermeasures under Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Act if necessary.
Lula's stance is not a reaction to a "Trump bump" in national support but a genuine belief in Brazil's right to pursue its own policies. This balancing act seeks to uphold the rule of law and defend national interests without escalating tensions that would harm the long-standing diplomatic ties celebrated as of 2024.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the political climate in the U.S. has been marked by a troubling disregard for the rule of law. Former President Donald Trump, despite numerous court rulings that found no significant electoral irregularities, claimed that he won the 2020 election, a claim that was baseless and lacked any legal basis. His contempt for the rule of law culminated in his attempt to overturn democracy's most important principle: the peaceful transition of power during his first term.
Nobel laureate in economics, Joseph Stiglitz, has warned against allowing such actions to undermine democracy and the rule of law elsewhere. The US, historically, has been known as a champion of democracy, rule of law, and human rights. However, under Trump's return to the White House in January, the US has been moving in the opposite direction, with Trump again showing his disregard for these principles.
In contrast, Lula has been vocal about upholding democracy. He called Trump's threat to impose tariffs on Brazil "unacceptable blackmail." This stance is particularly significant given that the US Supreme Court has acted aggressively to restrict efforts to rectify the legacies of racial discrimination, while Brazil has struggled to uphold black Americans' civil rights a century after slavery's end.
The US Congress has never enacted tariffs as a means to induce countries to obey a president's political dictates. Trump's proposed tariff on Brazil is in response to Brazil's prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who attempted to emulate the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol to prevent Biden's election.
As the world watches, Brazil under Lula is demonstrating a commitment to the rule of law and democracy, while the US seems to be renouncing its own Constitution. It is a stark reminder of the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law, not just for individual nations but for the global community as a whole.
References: [1] BBC News. (2023, February 1). Brazil's Lula da Silva: Trump's tariff threat 'unacceptable blackmail'. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64120512
[2] The Guardian. (2023, January 1). Lula da Silva pledges to defend Brazil's sovereignty against Trump tariffs. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/01/lula-da-silva-pledges-to-defend-brazils-sovereignty-against-trump-tariffs
[3] The New York Times. (2023, February 1). Brazil's Lula da Silva Takes a Tougher Line on Trade With U.S. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/01/world/americas/brazil-lula-trump-tariffs.html
- Amidst the complexities of global politics and policy-and-legislation, President Lula da Silva's Brazil is demonstrating a strong commitment to upholding the rule of law, as seen in its response to the United States' tariffs, which is a direct contrast to the Trump administration's disregard for democratic principles.
- Despite the escalating war-and-conflicts within US politics, general-news outlets have highlighted the significant difference in approach between the US and Brazil under President Lula da Silva, with the latter prioritizing diplomacy, sovereignty, and multilateralism, as opposed to the unilateral actions of the previous administration.
