Lula: Brazilian Democracy and Sovereignty Are Non-Negotiable

I decided to write this essay to establish an open and frank dialogue with the president of the United States. Over decades of negotiation, first as a union leader and later as president, I have learned to listen to all sides and to take into account all the interests at stake. That is why I have carefully examined the arguments that have been put forward by the Trump administration to impose a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian products.

Bringing American jobs back and reindustrialization are legitimate motivations. When in the past the United States has raised the banner of neoliberalism, Brazil warned of its harmful effects. Seeing the White House finally acknowledge the limits of the so-called Washington Consensus, a policy prescription of minimal social protection, unrestricted trade liberalization and overall deregulation dominant since the 1990s, vindicated the Brazilian position.