Lula da Silva intends to meet with Indian PM Modi and Chinese President Xi to develop a joint strategy regarding sanctions.

In an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he would speak with the leaders of BRICS countries to coordinate a response to the tariff hikes imposed by the United States.

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More specifically, the Brazilian president intends to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping to develop a joint strategy regarding the economic sanctions.

“I’ll try to discuss with them how each country is affected by the situation and what the implications are for each one, so we can make a decision,” Lula said, noting that 10 BRICS members are also part of the G20 — which he said strengthens the bloc’s global political and economic influence.

The 50% tariffs on Brazilian exports imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump took effect Wednesday. On the same day, the Republican leader also raised tariffs on Indian goods by 25%, claiming the country imports Russian oil either directly or indirectly.

When asked about the lack of contact with the U.S. president, Lula responded bluntly: “I haven’t called him because he doesn’t want a call. I have no reason to call President Trump, because in the letters he’s sent and in his decisions, there’s never any mention of negotiations — what he talks about are new threats.”

Nonetheless, Lula emphasized that Brazilian negotiators have already held 10 meetings with U.S. officials since May. “I could announce a tariff on U.S. products,” he said.

“But I won’t, because I don’t want to act like President Trump. I want to show that if one doesn’t want to fight, two don’t fight — and I don’t want to fight with the United States,” the Brazilian leader added.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: Reuters – Brasil 247

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