Presidents Trump and Lula Exchange Phone Numbers in Thaw of Relations as Brazil Seeks End to Punitive Tariffs on Exports
United States President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva engaged in a 30-minute video call on Monday, which both sides described as "friendly" and "very good," signaling a potential de escalation of diplomatic tensions that had strained bilateral ties. The conversation came just weeks after a brief but notably positive encounter between the two leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York where Trump remarked on their "excellent chemistry." The recent call which was initiated by President Trump primarily focused on Economy and Trade according to a post on Truth Social by the US President.
The central point of discussion and the source of the recent friction was the 40 percent US tariff imposed on Brazilian imports in July which was added to an existing 10 percent levy bringing the total surcharge on many Brazilian goods to 50 percent. President Lula used the opportunity to formally request the removal of this significant tariff and other restrictive measures applied against Brazilian authorities. Brazil's government noted that the country remains one of only three G20 nations with which the US maintains a trade surplus underscoring the lack of economic justification for the punitive tariffs.
The Trump administration had justified the tariffs by citing Brazil's legal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro a political ally of Trump's calling the conviction for attempted coup a "witch hunt" and an economic emergency. Despite the contentious backdrop of the tariffs the friendly tone of the call marks a significant diplomatic shift. The two leaders exchanged personal phone numbers to establish a direct channel of communication a symbolic gesture of warming relations.
President Lula framed the conversation as an "opportunity to restore the friendly 201 year relationship" between the two largest democracies in the West. He extended an invitation for President Trump to attend the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Belém Brazil and suggested a possible in person meeting at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia or a visit by Lula to Washington in the near future. Trump in response appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lead negotiations on the trade and tariff issues with a Brazilian delegation led by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Finance Minister Fernando Haddad who characterized the call as "positive" and "better than expected" thus boosting optimism for the future of US Brazil relations which have been at a low point for months.