PT launches 'Brazil does not surrender' campaign against U.S. tariffs

Brazil's Workers' Party (PT) has launched a new campaign, "O Brasil não se entrega" (Brazil does not surrender), directly countering the 25% tariff recently imposed by the U.S. government on Brazilian goods. The campaign strategically utilizes social media platforms to associate Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a potential rival to President Lula da Silva, with the controversial trade measure, aiming to damage his political prospects.

The PT's mobilization centers on the theme of national sovereignty, a key element in President Lula's re-election strategy. Through videos and online content, the party intends to illustrate the practical consequences of the U.S. tariffs on Brazilian employment, businesses, and the crucial agribusiness sector. A notable aspect of the campaign is its defense of the Pix instant payment system, highlighting its importance to the national economy.

According to internal assessments from the Planalto Palace, linking Flávio Bolsonaro to the U.S. tariffs has proven detrimental to his campaign. Recent polls, such as one by Genial/Quaest, suggest that the tariff's imposition has led to a decline in support for the PL candidate among right-leaning independent voters. The PT aims to capitalize on this perceived weakening of Bolsonaro's support base.

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I will be on the road with these people to lift their heads and not let Brazil be handed over to the Americans.

While the PT's campaign materials are not officially disseminated through government channels, messages are being amplified within influential circles, including a WhatsApp group named "Porta-Vozes do Lula" (Lula's Spokespeople), which includes cabinet ministers and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin. Alckmin emphasized the non-negotiable nature of Brazil's democracy and sovereignty, stating, "Our democracy and our sovereignty are non-negotiable for us to have a Country with justice, equality, and opportunity."

The Brazilian government has indicated it will not immediately retaliate with its own trade measures against the U.S. This decision, according to the Planalto Palace, is partly to avoid inadvertently benefiting Flávio Bolsonaro politically before the elections. The tariffs currently affect 18% of Brazil's exports, and the government's approach prioritizes broader economic considerations over immediate reciprocal action.

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Our democracy and our sovereignty are non-negotiable for us to have a Country with justice, equality, and opportunity.