Brazilian President Lula da Silva says he is concerned about ‘free trade’ after the tariff hike
The president's statements coincide with his visit to Japan, which has been severely affected by the 25% tariffs on vehicles to be sold in the United States, its main market.
File image of Lula da Silva
Brazil's president, socialist Luiz Ignacio da Silva, criticized President Donald Trump and his administration for the tariffs imposed on Latin America during his visit to Japan on Thursday.
"I am very concerned about the behavior of the U.S. government," Lula said. "I am concerned because free trade is being harmed and I am concerned because multilateralism is being weakened," the Brazilian leader said in Japan.
Lula da Silva's comments were apt considering where they were made. Japan is a major vehicle manufacturer and was affected by the latest 25% tariffs imposed by the administration. The United States is, in fact, the main destination for Japanese vehicle exports. The Japanese government, an essential ally for the U.S. in the Pacific, hopes to be exempted from such interests.
"We must consider appropriate responses and will naturally consider all options," including the possibility of taking countermeasures, Shigeru Ishiba, Japan's prime minister, told a parliamentary session on Thursday. "The bottom line is that we should consider what best serves Japan's national interests."
Brazil is a major exporter of steel and other industrial metals bound for the United States. Socialist Da Silva announced that his government could sue the United States before international trade bodies over the tariffs imposed.
RECOMMENDATION
LATEST
