Flávio Bolsonaro attributes US tariff hike to Lula government's 'incompetence'

Flávio Bolsonaro, a presidential candidate for the Liberal Party (PL), has directly attributed the recent tariffs imposed by the United States on Brazil to the "incompetence" and "aggressions" of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration. In an interview with Rede Bandeirantes' program "Canal Livre," Bolsonaro defended his family's engagement with US foreign policy but dismissed claims that his brother, former congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, holds sway over American sanctions.

"Do you think Eduardo has power to coerce the President of the United States? What the President of the United States does is his own decision," Flávio Bolsonaro stated, asserting the autonomy of US foreign policy decisions. He further criticized the Lula government's diplomatic approach, accusing Brazil of subservience to China and suggesting that President Lula's actions and provocations directly led to the US imposing tariffs.

"Brazil is being sanctioned because of this lack of skill by the current government and because of his provocations. Lula worked for Brazil to be tariffed, and he succeeded," Bolsonaro claimed, according to preliminary statements released by Bandeirantes. He also raised concerns about Brazil's potential international isolation, referencing diplomatic conflicts not only with the US but also with Argentina and Paraguay.

Bolsonaro also commented on the recent visit of Argentinian President Javier Milei to Brazil. He praised Milei's speech at the PL's national convention, where Flávio Bolsonaro's candidacy was formalized. Milei had previously criticized Lula and Supreme Federal Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes during his visit. Flávio Bolsonaro suggested that the international community awaits a change in Brazil's government to resume investments.