‘It is very important for us to have a civilized relationship,’ says Lula in an interview with the US station

In the PBS NewsHour newspaper, president highlights the willingness to negotiate rates imposed by the US government on Brazilian products

During an interview with the PBS NewsHour newspaper of the US television network PBS, on Monday (22/9), President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reaffirmed the opening of the Brazil government to negotiate unilateral imposed tariffs by the United States government. “A negotiation table costs nothing,” said Lula, who is in New York for the 80th United Nations Assembly (AGNU). As is tradition since 1955, Brazil will be the first member state to speak at the opening of the general debate, on Tuesday (23).

“A head of state needs to have a relationship with another head of state, regardless of its political position. These are two important states, America’s greatest democracies, the largest economies in America. So, it is very important for us to have a very civilized relationship,” said Lula.

Lula pointed out that in the last 15 years, the United States have registered a $ 410 billion surplus in business relations with Brazil, which indicates that the taxation is not justified from a commercial point of view. “Every time we try to talk about trade with someone in the United States, he says, ‘This is not me. No, this is not a commercial issue. This is a political issue.’ [Donald] Trump wants to talk about politics, I also talk about politics, ”he said.

“We want to have relationships of equality with everyone. But what we do not accept is that no one, no country in the world interferes with our democracy and our sovereignty,” Lula added.

Plano

In August, the Brazilian government launched the Brazil Sovereign Plan – an initial set of measures in response to unilateral elevation by 50%of national products exported to the United States. The plan consists of actions separated into three axes: strengthening of the productive sector; protection for workers; and commercial diplomacy and multilateralism.

The measures direct R $ 30 billion from the Export Guarantee Fund (CGE) for affordable rate credit, as well as expanding export financing lines; extend the suspension of taxes to exporting companies; Increase the percentage of refund of federal taxes via reintegra; and facilitate the purchase of foodstuffs by public agencies.

Compromises

Lula will participate in a series of strategic agendas this week in New York. On the sidelines of the general debate, taking advantage of the presence of world leaders, Lula will keep meetings with the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and heads of state and government from other nations.

On Monday (22), the president was at the second session of the International High Level Conference for the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two state solution, convened by France and Saudi Arabia. At the meeting, he argued that the only way to peace and stability in the Middle East involves implementing this solution. “Both Israel and Palestine have the right to exist,” said Lula.

Forest bottom

This Tuesday (23), the president will attend the meeting on the Fund Forests Tropical Forever (TFFF), Brazilian initiative that proposes an innovative funding model for the conservation of tropical forests. The fund will be officially launched during COP30, scheduled for November in Belém (PA).

Climate action

On Wednesday (24), together with the UN Secretary-General, Lula will participate in the high-level event on climate action, boosted international mobilization and stimulate the presentation of new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) towards COP30.

Democracy

Also on Wednesday, he will co -appear, alongside Chilean President Gabriel Boric, and Spain Government President Pedro Sánchez, the second edition of the event “In Defense of Democracy”. The initiative brings together leaders from all regions of the world to strengthen multilateralism, rule of law and cooperation against extremism, misinformation, hatred discourse and weakening of democratic institutions.

Eight decades

The 80th General Assembly of the United Nations marks the 80th anniversary of the UN foundation, created in 1945 with the signing of the Charter of San Francisco. Brazil was one of 51 original signatories. The creation of the UN represented not only the end of World War II, but the commitment of the international community to peace, human rights, sovereign equality between states and sustainable development. Currently, the organization brings together 193 Member States and two observing states: Palestine and the Holy See.

Originally published by GOV AGENCY ON 09/22/2025