Brazilian President Lula da Silva said that US President Donald Trump should stop considering himself the “emperor of the world“ and engage in civilized dialogue with other countries.
“I have no relationship with Trump because I was not president when Trump was first elected. He has a relationship with Bolsonaro, not with Brazil“, he said in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Lula da Silva noted that he “has never tried to call“ Trump to discuss US tariffs because “he never wanted to talk“. The Brazilian leader also stressed that he would be ready to “welcome“ Trump when they meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next week, but added that Trump should not consider himself the “emperor of the world“.
Lula da Silva stressed that the US leader and his administration, when imposing tariffs on Brazilian goods, did not communicate with Brazil in a “civilized way“. “He simply posted on his social media page“, the president said. Lula da Silva noted that he has developed a closer relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin than with Trump, as they have known each other for many years.
He also rejected allegations that Brazil is supporting Russia's military operations in Ukraine by buying Russian oil. “Brazil does not finance Russia. We buy oil from Russia because we have to buy oil. China, India, Britain and the United States also have to buy oil,“ Lula da Silva said.