Trump Opens Door to Talks With Lula on 50% Tariffs

US President Donald Trump said in Washington on Friday that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva "can talk to me anytime," signalling openness to negotiate the 50% tariff the White House imposed this week on most Brazilian exports. Trump, who also sanctioned Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Magnitsky Act, reiterated that he "loves the Brazilian people" but claimed that "the people running Brazil did something wrong." Lula, who has condemned the sanctions as “inacceptable,” is preparing a nationwide radio-and-television address to defend national sovereignty and respond to the US measures. On Thursday night he hosted senior ministers at the Palácio da Alvorada to discuss the diplomatic crisis; several invited Supreme Court justices and congressional leaders did not attend, reflecting institutional unease. Finance Minister Fernando Haddad welcomed Trump’s remarks, saying “the reciprocal is true,” and disclosed plans to meet soon with aides to US Treasury Secretary Scott to explore ways to avert the tariff, which is scheduled to take effect on 6 August but exempts roughly 45% of Brazilian shipments. Brazilian diplomats described Trump’s offer as a significant gesture while cautioning that any presidential phone call would need careful preparation.