Lula criticizes deforestation charges and says the US is "bald"
During the 7th Plenary Meeting of the Council for Sustainable Economic and Social Development (or "Council") this Wednesday (10), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) criticized the position of the USTR (United States Trade Representative), which advised the imposition of 25% tariffs on Brazilian products sent to the United States.
According to the president, discussion with the Americans was recommended because "we do not have the right to accept it out of dignity and respect". In his speech, Lula also refuted the justification of the American government, which used a supposed increase in illegal deforestation as one of the factors for the new tariff.
The Chief Executive said that Americans don't "realize that they are already bald", in reference to the American terrain and its forests.
"I want to know what rights American workers have for a financial director of I don't know how many to come and impose fines, impose fines due to deforestation. Don't they realize that they are already bald and that we are still a player, cutting just a little bit here?", declared Lula.
Even earlier, during the meeting, vice-president Geraldo Alckmin spoke about Brazil's balance in expanding agribusiness exports while the country records a drop in deforestation. According to data from the Deter system cited by the minister, the Amazon recorded a 35% reduction in deforestation alerts between August 2025 and January 2026.
"We broke a record for agricultural exports last year. US$ 169 billion (around R$ 876 billion). [...] And, at the same time, we broke a record for the drop in deforestation. This shows that things are not antagonistic, but that we can have synergy", he declared
New American tariffs
The States' decision is part of an investigation initiated by the USTR last year and which generated a report released last week on "unreasonable" trade policies and practices with the USA.
The investigation's allegations are based on the terms of so-called Section 301 - a trade policy tool that allows Americans to investigate and retaliate against other nations against trade practices considered unfair.
In addition to deforestation, the agency also pointed out other points that would harm Brazil-United States trade, such as the use of Pix, Brazilian taxes on Brazilian ethanol and piracy.
If the recommendation of the American body is followed, the new 25% tariff for some products will come into force from July 15th. However, the opinion excludes some products considered strategic to the American market, such as coffee, minerals and energy commodities.
As reported by CNN, members of the Brazilian government are expected to meet remotely this Friday (12) to discuss the tariffs with Jamieson Greer, trade representative of the United States.
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Source: CNN