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In a latest discussion, Brazil’s Head of State Lula emphasized that he maintains “no relationship” whatsoever with former US President Donald Trump.

President da Silva has often condemned the former president, but this marks the strongest statement yet that he feels exchange among the both heads of state is now totally nonexistent.

Trade Disputes and Taxes

Even with the United States enjoying a favorable trade balance against Brazil, Donald Trump enforced tariffs of 50% on the country’s goods as far back as in July.

The president described these measures as “clearly politically motivated” and warned that American shoppers would eventually face elevated costs for Brazilian items.

“US citizens will pay for the mistakes President Trump is making in his relationship with our country.”

Lack of Communication

Both leaders never once talked directly. Pressed on why he never tried to reach out to the former president, Lula explained: “I did not attempted that call because he did not desire to have a discussion.”

Although Donald Trump has said that the Brazilian president could “contact him whenever,” he insisted that members of the former administration “did not wish to talk.”

Additionally, he mentioned that he initially found out about the US tariffs via Brazilian newspapers.

Speaking about Trump, he remarked that the president “did not reach out in a proper way. He simply posted them on social media.”

‘He’s Not Ruler on Earth!’

Lula pointed out that his strained relationship with Trump were the exception, stating that he has built productive relationships with previous US presidents, British officials, the European Union, China, Ukrainian leaders, Venezuelan representatives and “most nations globally.”

Asked about who he had a better connection with – Trump or Russian President Putin – he justified his relationship with Putin, mentioning they had formed that bond when both were presidents “years ago.”

“I have no connection with Trump because when Trump was elected, I wasn’t in office. His connection is with the former president, not with our nation.”

He also said that if he passed Trump at next week’s international summit, he would “acknowledge him since I consider myself a civilized person,” although he noted that Trump may be “president of the United States, but he’s not emperor of the world!”

Remarks on Former President and Election Charges

The president also commented on his preceding leader, Bolsonaro, who was recently convicted by the nation’s highest court.

In a 4-1 ruling, judges concluded the former leader culpable of planning a coup after losing the presidential race to Lula and handed down him to 27 years in prison.

He stated that Bolsonaro and his associates had “damaged the country, tried to carry out a takeover, and plotted my death.”

He also slammed Trump for “promoting misinformation” by stating that the former president was being unfairly treated and questioning the condition of democratic institutions in Brazil.

Lula also noted that if the January 6 Capitol riots had occurred in his country rather than the United States, the former president would have been prosecuted.

United Nations Reform and Global Relations

During the comprehensive conversation, Lula further called for changes of the United Nations.

Lula criticized the reality that five countries – the permanent five of the Security Council – have the power to reject actions and claimed that this tilted the scale in favor of those who were victorious in World War Two, excluding nations representing billions of citizens like his country, Germany, India, the Japanese, along with African countries.

Consequently, he said, the United Nations does not “possess the strength to solve wars” and the P5 permanent members take “one-sided” choices about starting conflicts.

Oil and Environment Issues

Interviewers also asked President Lula about November’s COP30 summit, where Brazil will host international delegates in the Amazonian city of Belém.

At home, the Brazilian president has faced criticism over his support for future oil extraction for crude off the delta of the Amazon River.

The country’s state oil company Petrobas and other companies have bought blocks for drilling and are awaiting permits.

Even his ecology chief, Silva, has strongly objected to the initiative, and several environmental organizations worry it could risk oil spills in areas near the rainforest.

President Lula stated that the government was carefully following the regulations in its research and that if any leaks, then “Brazil would be responsible and take care of all consequences.”

Lula further mentioned that he supported a planet free from fossil fuels however “the transition is yet to come so far.”

“I ask any country that is ready to complete an green transformation and capable of giving up oil.”

Lula, who is seventy-nine years old, noted that he had not so far determined if he would run for re-election in the 2026 presidential elections.

He explained that his health and his party would influence that – in addition to whether it was politically opportune and whether he had a possibility of success.

Lula dropped in the opinion surveys in recent months, however received a increase after Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Brazil.

In closing, he remarked that his achievements featured cutting {hunger|food insecurity