Lula accuses Bolsonaro's son of treason over alleged request for US tariffs on Brazil

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has launched a scathing attack on Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, accusing him of treason. Speaking at the Presidential Palace in Brasília, Lula claimed that Flavio Bolsonaro met with Donald Trump at the White House and requested the imposition of U.S. tariffs on Brazil.

Lula asserted that Flavio Bolsonaro's visit to Washington and subsequent meeting with Trump and Senator Marco Rubio led to the U.S. announcing a 25% tariff on Brazil just days later. "You went to Washington last week, met with Trump and Rubio. A few days after your visit, the U.S. announced it would impose a 25% tariff on Brazil. You demanded sanctions and taxes against your own country to put me in a difficult position before the elections in October and harm the Brazilian economy. That is why I call him both a coward and a traitor for calling on a foreign power to interfere in the country's internal affairs," Lula stated.

Lula also noted that Senator Marco Rubio, whom he described as an "enemy" of several Latin American countries and someone who dislikes Brazil, was not present during his own meeting with Trump on May 7. However, Brazilian media reported that Flavio Bolsonaro, in his May 27 meeting with Trump, defended Brazilian companies. "On the contrary, I asked Trump and Rubio not to impose taxes on Brazilian companies. The problem is not with me, Americans do not trust Lula," Flavio Bolsonaro reportedly said.

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You went to Washington last week, met with Trump and Rubio. A few days after your visit, the U.S. announced it would impose a 25% tariff on Brazil. You demanded sanctions and taxes against your own country to put me in a difficult position before the elections in October and harm the Brazilian economy. That is why I call him both a coward and a traitor for calling on a foreign power to interfere in the country's internal affairs.

In response to the potential U.S. tariffs, Brazil's presidential press office stated that if the U.S. proceeds with the 25% additional tariff, Brazil will take similar reciprocal steps. The statement affirmed Brazil's right to take measures under the Reciprocity Law, passed by Congress, against practices that violate international trade rules and are unfair to the country.

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) had previously accused Brazil of unfair trade practices concerning social media platforms, intellectual property rights, and deforestation, warning of the potential 25% tariff. Trump had shared a photo of his meeting with Flavio Bolsonaro, describing him as a "smart young man who loves his country, Brazil."

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On the contrary, I asked Trump and Rubio not to impose taxes on Brazilian companies. The problem is not with me, Americans do not trust Lula.