In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Lula criticized Trump’s approach to international relations, suggesting it promotes a narrative where the U.S. dictates terms to others. “He has the right to govern the US, but he doesn’t have the right to govern other countries,” Lula explained, advocating for negotiations instead of imposition.

Lula also condemned the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Brazilian imports, which followed an investigation by the US Trade Representative. These tariffs, set at 25% on select Brazilian goods, were justified by the U.S. based on Brazilian policies affecting various sectors. Lula described these justifications as “lies” and pointed to a decline in Brazil’s exports to the U.S. by 9% following the tariffs, while imports fell by 8.5%. In response, Brazil sought to enhance trade relations with other countries like China, Japan, Germany, and the European Union, stating, “I’m not going to just try to cry out about the milk that was spilled on the floor.” Lula clarified that while Brazil is negotiating with the U.S., retaliatory measures would only be considered if talks fail.

On another note, Lula expressed concern about potential U.S. interference in Brazil’s elections, mentioning suspicions involving U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and connections to the Bolsonaro family, although he stated there is no concrete evidence at present.

Additionally, Lula criticized the U.S. role in Venezuela, claiming that U.S. actions have led to an impression that the country is being governed by Washington. He urged for Venezuelans to have the right to determine their political future through elections, promoting a view that democracy should prevail. These remarks coincided with Trump’s push for a more dominant U.S. military posture in Latin America, highlighted in his address to the UN General Assembly.