Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asked US President Donald Trump during a phone conversation on Monday, October 6, to lift the 40% tariff imposed by the US government on Brazilian imports.
The leaders spoke for 30 minutes, exchanged phone numbers, and Lula reiterated his invitation for Trump to attend the upcoming climate summit in Belem, according to a statement from Lula's office.
The Trump administration had imposed a 40% tariff on Brazilian products in July on top of a 10% tariff imposed earlier. Lula reminded Trump that Brazil was one of three G20 countries with which the US maintains a trade surplus.
The Trump administration justified the tariffs, saying that Brazil's policies and criminal prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro constitute an economic emergency. Earlier this month, Bolsonaro was convicted of attempting a coup after losing his bid for reelection in 2022 and a panel of the Supreme Court sentenced him to 27 years and three months in prison.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lula also offered to travel to Washington to meet with Trump, to continue the conversation they started when they met at the United Nations General Assembly earlier this month.