Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told US President Donald Trump that Washington’s tariffs on Brazilian goods were “unfounded” during a phone call on Friday.
The conversation lasted around 80 minutes and focused on trade, security and major international conflicts. Lula called for negotiations to continue, while Trump agreed on the importance of maintaining strong economic ties between the two countries.
The Brazilian presidency said the two leaders also agreed to meet again soon. Their discussion comes as trade tensions between Brasília and Washington continue to put pressure on bilateral relations.
Lula Challenges US Tariff Decision
Lula told Trump that the US tariffs were hurting both Brazil and the United States. He argued that the reasons given by Washington for imposing the measures did not justify the additional duties.
The US introduced a 25% tariff on some Brazilian products last month. Washington also imposed a separate 12.5% tariff linked to concerns over the enforcement of rules against forced labour.
Brazil has responded by seeking further consultations with US trade authorities. The process could eventually lead Brasília to introduce reciprocal measures against American goods.
Brazil And US Discuss Security Cooperation
The two presidents also discussed cooperation against organised crime. Lula said Brazil remains interested in working with Washington but rejected attempts to classify Brazilian criminal groups as terrorist organisations.
The US designated two Brazilian criminal groups as terrorist organisations in May. Lula argued that criminal gangs operating inside Brazil should not be treated in the same way as terrorist organisations.
Trump expressed support for stronger cooperation between the two countries. He also said he would involve senior US officials to follow up on agreements reached during the discussion.
Leaders Discuss Ukraine And Middle East Conflicts
Lula and Trump also exchanged views on several international conflicts. Their conversation included the war in Ukraine and the wider situation in the Middle East.
According to the Brazilian presidency, both leaders agreed on the need to find a negotiated solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The war has now entered its fourth year and remains a major international concern.
Lula also proposed an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss diplomatic solutions to current crises. Trump, meanwhile, shared his views on possible ways to resolve the conflict involving Iran.
