Lula to attend G7, aiming to resolve trade disputes with U.S. and EU

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to leverage his attendance at the upcoming G7 summit to address pressing trade disputes with the United States and the European Union. The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Lula intends to pursue bilateral meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the summit.

The primary objective of these potential high-level discussions is to challenge recent protectionist measures. Brazil is particularly concerned about new U.S. tariffs that could escalate to 37.5% on its exports, as well as restrictions imposed by the EU on imports of Brazilian meat and other animal products. These measures threaten significant sectors of the South American nation's economy.

The U.S. proposal for a 25% tariff, coupled with an additional 12.5% for countries not adequately combating forced labor, has drawn sharp criticism from Brazil. The proposed tariffs could bring the total to nearly 40%, a level previously applied and partially revoked last year. Simultaneously, the EU announced restrictions on Brazilian meat and animal products starting in September due to the use of prohibited antimicrobials within the bloc.

Ambassador Philip Fox-Drummond Gough, secretary of Economic and Financial Affairs at Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Relations, conveyed the government's stance, stating, "The main message is that we were surprised by the way these measures were adopted and that they cause us concern." The Brazilian government has also pointed fingers at political maneuvering, suggesting that actions by opposition senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a leading candidate in the upcoming October elections, influenced the U.S. decision during his visit to the White House prior to the tariff announcement.

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The main message is that we were surprised by the way these measures were adopted and that they cause us concern.