In an exclusive interview with the program *O is from the thing *, presented by journalist Reinaldo Azevedo at BandNews FM, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva harshly criticized former US president Donald Trump, who recently announced a tariff against Brazil. In his speech, Lula countered Trump’s statements, in which the Republican quoted the petista and Minister Alexandre de Moraes to justify trade measures.
During the speech, Lula also said he would win the 2026 presidential elections if he decided to run again. The speech came in the context of criticism of Trump’s trade policy, which imposed up to 50% rates on Brazilian products, alleging political and security issues.
To alleviate the economic impacts of the US decision, Lula announced a $ 30 billion package in support of companies affected by tariffs. The funds will be intended for credit lines, export incentives and measures to strengthen the productive sector.
The Brazilian government had already officially positioned itself against Trump’s measure, stating that Washington’s justification is not in line with commercial practices and hurts the spirit of bilateral cooperation.
In an interview with journalist Reinaldo Azevedo, in BandNews FM’s *O Tacheb program, Lula said the $ 30 billion credit line will be mainly intended for small businesses, more vulnerable to the impact of taxation.
“There will be a credit policy. We are thinking of helping small businesses. The big ones have more resistance power. It will be extremely important so that we can show that no one will be helpless because of President Trump’s taxation,” said the president.
Lula also stated that the government will seek new markets to reduce dependence on exports to the United States. “We will take care of the workers of these companies, we will try to find other markets for these companies,” he said.
In the same interview, Lula confirmed that the government will send on Wednesday (13) to the National Congress a proposal to regulate social networks, after the complaint made by the Felca influencer.
The president explained that regulation is necessary to ensure safety for children and adolescents and hold digital platforms for illegal content. “Crime that is a crime in normal life has to be a crime in digital life,” he said.
Asked about criticism that the measure violates freedom of expression, Lula countered by saying that cyber crimes should have the same weight as those committed outside the virtual environment.
About the relationship with Donald Trump, Lula said he waited for a meeting “like two civilized human beings” to discuss the relationship between Brazil and the United States. “It is not from Brazil that there is some hindrance in conversation,” he said.
The president said he was surprised by the letter sent by Trump, who considered an offensive and an affront to Brazilian sovereignty. According to him, the document cited internal topics, such as the case against former President Jair Bolsonaro in the Federal Supreme Court.
Lula also defended the creation of a currency for business transactions between Brics countries, with the aim of reducing dollar dependence. “Why can’t I negotiate with China in the Chinese and Brazilian currency?” He asked.
On the issue of the so -called “rare lands”, the president stated that the matter should be dealt with at a negotiating table and not through trade threats. Lula revealed that he is creating a presidency council to discuss mineral exploitation in Brazil.
The president countered information released by the United States about the commercial deficit, stating that in 15 years, Brazil has accumulated a $ 400 billion deficit in the relationship with the Americans.
Lula accused Trump of wanting to interfere with the 2026 Brazilian elections and said the Republican could “campaign for those who want” in the country, but stressed that whoever is elected takes office.
Regarding former President Jair Bolsonaro, Lula stated that he “does not know what democracy is” and compared him to former deputy Paulo Maluf, noting that the far right poses a real risk to the democratic regime.
Finally, Lula stated that he is not concerned with possible opponents in the 2026 election and that, if he decides to compete, “he would not lose.” However, he stressed that his priority at the moment is to govern the country.
Check out the full interview:
