Brazilian President Lula told reporters after an Aug. 21 call with U.S.
President Trump that recent U.S. tariffs on Brazilian goods are "detached from
reality" and "based on lies." He said Trump had asked U.S. Trade Representative
Greer to contact Brazil’s development, industry and trade minister Marcio Rosa
to arrange talks. The U.S. Trade Representative announced on July 15 tariffs
that raised duties by 25% on some Brazilian products effective July 22, and on
July 23 imposed 10–12.5% tariffs on dozens of countries citing alleged forced
labor to replace expiring global import duties. Brazil initiated on Aug. 13
reciprocal measures under its economic equivalence law in response to the new
U.S. tariffs.
