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Lula calls U.S. tariffs “illegal blackmail,” urges WTO overhaul Foreign Affairs valorinternational.txt
President Lula — Foto: Fernando Fraz?o/Agência Brasil President Lula said on felted pokerMonday (8) that BRICS countries are being targeted by “illegal” trade practices and warned that “tariff blackmail” is becoming normalized in the international arena. His remarks were a direct criticism of the tariff increases imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. As a response, Mr. Lula proposed that the BRICS take the lead in “refounding” the multilateral trading system at the next World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference, scheduled for next year. The Brazilian leader delivered his speech during an extraordinary virtual BRICS meeting convened by Brasília. According to the government, the gathering was called after the conclusion that a new discussion was needed in light of recent “attacks” on multilateralism. “Only two months after the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, we are facing growing instability,” Mr. Lula said. “It is increasingly clear that the governance crisis is not temporary. The pillars of the international order created in 1945 are being eroded at an accelerated and irresponsible pace. The WTO has been paralyzed for years. Our countries have become victims of unjustified and illegal trade practices. Tariff blackmail is being normalized as a tool to capture markets and interfere in domestic affairs.” He also criticized the use of foreign sanctions to influence domestic policies, an indirect reference to Mr. Trump’s decision to target Brazil’s judiciary. “The imposition of extraterritorial measures threatens our institutions,” Mr. Lula said. “Secondary sanctions restrict our freedom to strengthen trade with friendly nations. When the principle of sovereign equality among states is no longer respected, interference in internal affairs becomes routine. Peaceful resolution of disputes gives way to belligerent conduct.” He argued that the BRICS should promote cooperation to overcome these challenges. “We have the legitimacy needed to lead the refoundation of the multilateral trading system on modern, flexible foundations,” he said, urging unity among the bloc’s 11 members ahead of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference next year. According to the Brazilian government, the initiative stems from the view that the WTO is currently controlled by the United States, which in recent years has placed compliant leadership at the head of the institution. In Brasília’s assessment, this has prevented the WTO from acting as a counterweight to unilateral measures such as tariff hikes. The Brazilian government later issued a statement noting that there was “consensus” during the virtual summit on the need for a fairer, more balanced, and more inclusive international order that reflects global shifts and responds more effectively to the demands of the Global South. The statement added that the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on how to confront risks stemming from unilateral measures in global trade and on ways to expand solidarity, coordination, and commerce among BRICS nations. The BRICS currently comprises 11 members. According to the Brazilian government, Monday’s virtual summit was attended by the leaders of China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, and South Africa; the crown prince of the United Arab Emirates; India’s foreign minister; and Ethiopia’s deputy foreign minister. This article was translated from Valor Econ?mico using an artificial intelligence tool under the supervision of the Valor International editorial team to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to our editorial standards. Read our Editorial Principles.
