SAO PAULO (AP) 鈥� Brazilian President said Friday his government has triggered an economic reciprocity law mechanism against U.S.-imposed tariffs, saying the move was intended to show his nation must be respected.
In July, U.S. President Donald Trump , with duties reaching up to 37.5% in some products. The Trump administration has accused Brazil of unfair trade practices, but Lula has denied the accusations, insisting they are politically motivated ahead of the October election.
Lula is seeking reelection against , a Trump ally who met with U.S. officials, including Trump, in Washington weeks before the administration proposed higher tariffs on Brazilian goods.
鈥淵esterday, we invoked the reciprocity law to show that we are not to be taken lightly,” Lula said in an interview with Brazilian podcasters. 鈥淲e respect ourselves. I am very calm knowing what could happen, and I am prepared to debate the defense of Brazil anywhere in the world.鈥�
Brazil鈥檚 Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Thursday it is requesting diplomatic consultations with its U.S. counterparts on the issue, as a sign of Lula’s aim 鈥渢o privilege dialogue and negotiation in its international relations.鈥�
The beginning of the proceedings does not necessarily mean Brazil will retaliate against U.S. tariffs.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want any fight with the United States,” Lula said Friday. 鈥淯nfortunately, they are spreading falsehoods.”
Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department revoked the visa of Brazil鈥檚 ambassador to Washington in retaliation for last month for two American diplomats who sought to visit ahead of the .
The U.S. government also has accused Brazil of stalling approval of Trump鈥檚 nominee for ambassador in Brasilia, while Brazilian officials say the U.S. should have first sought the government鈥檚 approval before submitting the nomination to Congress, as diplomatic protocol requires.
Since revoked the Brazilian ambassador鈥檚 visa in response to Lula鈥檚 actions but did not order her expelled, U.S. officials have said the Trump administration does not want the dispute to escalate.
These officials, who have spoken on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration deliberations, have said on multiple occasions that Rubio鈥檚 limited response was intentionally designed to give Lula time and space to back down.
At the same time, they have said that the U.S. will respond quickly should Lula’s government choose to escalate the matter and that declaring the Brazilian ambassador 鈥減ersona non grata鈥� and expelling her from the U.S. would be a logical next step.
Lula said once again , but warned any foreign governments 鈥渨ho come here to meddle in the election, will lose.鈥�
___
Associated Press writer Matthew Lee contributed from Washington.
___
Follow AP鈥檚 coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
