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Lula made the comments while wrapping up a 4-day visit to Japan,
where Trump's decision Wednesday to order 25% tariffs on all car
imports came as a severe blow given the country's status as a
major auto exporter and American ally. The U.S. is the biggest
destination for Japanese car exports.
“I am very concerned about the behavior of the American
government,” Lula said. “I am concerned because free trade is
being harmed and I am concerned because multilateralism is
weakened,” Lula said through an interpreter.
Lula said he foresees no positive outcome from Trump's policy of
raising tariffs given that they will raise prices for American
consumers, adding to inflation and leading to higher interest
rates that might stifle economic growth.
He added that Trump is president only of the United States, not
the world, and that “this protectionism does not help any
country in the world.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated he wants Japan
to be exempt from such tariffs. He and Lula agreed to step up
partnerships between Japan and Brazil in the areas of the
economy, trade and security.
As Trump’s tariff threats have triggered tensions and vows of
retaliation from Canada, Mexico, China and Europe, Japan has
been working to firm up ties with other countries.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Trump's
decision on auto tariffs was “extremely regrettable.” Japan
strongly has “strongly urged" it be exempt.
Brazil is the top steel exporter to the United States. Lula said
it was considering filing complaints to the World Trade
Organization and might impose reciprocal tariffs.
But Brazil is not near the top of Trump's list for trade
retaliation since the U.S., its second-largest trading partner,
exports more than it imports from there.
The U.S. trade surplus with Brazil was $7.4 billion in 2024,
nearly a 32% increase over a year earlier. Brazil's top exports
to the U.S. were petroleum and iron and steel. Its biggest
imports from the U.S. were crude and refined oil, gas turbines,
aircraft, chemical and machinery.
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