Brasรญlia,Brazil – Brazil’s Institutional Relations Secretary,Gleisi Hoffmann,stated that President Luiz Inรกcio Lula da Silva is open to discussing trade tariffs with former U.S. President Donald Trump, but only when the opportunity arises and the U.S. indicates a willingness to engage in such dialog.
Hoffmann emphasized that Trump himself has indicated he is not currently interested in such discussions. She clarified that high-level conversations between heads of state require careful preparation and are not akin to casual phone calls. “President Trump said he doesn’t want to talk now, so President Lula is no use looking for the conversation. A negotiation between two heads of state has a preparation for negotiators to make it happen, it is indeed not a telemarketing,” Hoffmann explained when questioned about whether Lula should pursue tariff negotiations with Trump.
Minister of the Secretariat of Institutional Relations,Gleisi HoffmannPhoto: wilton Junior/Estadรฃo
Hoffmann reiterated that Lula has consistently been open to dialogue and is awaiting an indication from the United States that it is prepared for such discussions and the commercial negotiations Brazil seeks.”Lula has never been unwilling to talk, but obviously it will only happen when the US will also offer us opening for this conversation and commercial negotiation we want to do,” she stated.
The minister also commented on Brazil’s trade strategy,noting that the country does not rely on a single dominant market for its exports and possesses a considerable global market presence.
additionally, Hoffmann mentioned a brief phone conversation she had with the leaders of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicans-PB), and the Senate, David Alcolumbre (Brazil-AP Union), regarding potential U.S. sanctions. She indicated that they plan to meet upon their return to Brasรญlia later in the week.