‘Mutual Interest’: Brazil’s Lula Dials PM Modi, Flags Trump’s ‘Unilateral’ Tariffs
Source: News18 | Original Published At: 2025-08-07 16:24:46 UTC
Key Points
- Lula and Modi discussed countering US unilateral tariffs impacting both nations
- Agreed to elevate India-Brazil trade to $20 billion by 2030
- Confirmed Brazilian state visit to India in early 2026 with business delegation
- Identified cooperation areas: trade, defense, energy, critical minerals, health, digital inclusion
- Emphasized BRICS solidarity against protectionist policies
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva discussed with PM Modi to counter US President Trump’s levies. They plan a state visit to India and aim to boost trade to $20 billion by 2030.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Thursday he discussed the “imposition of unilateral tariffs” during a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signalling concerted efforts at pushing back against US President Donald Trump’s strong-arm levies that have rattled the global economy.
The two BRICS members, both hit with 50% tariffs—thehighest rate Trump has announced, discussed the holding of a Brazilian state visit to India early next year and also recalled the goal of increasing bilateral trade to over $20 billion by 2030, Lula said in an X post.
PM Modi, for his part, stressed that the two sides were committed to deepening their partnership.
“Had a good conversation with President Lula. Thanked him for making my visit to Brazil memorable and meaningful,” he posted on X, a reference to PM Modi’s visit to the South American nation for a summit of the BRICS nations.
“We are committed to deepening our Strategic Partnership including in trade, energy, tech, defence, health and more. A strong, people-centric partnership between Global South nations benefits everyone,” he added.
While Lula made a direct mention of tariffs, PM Modi’s post and a press release by the Indian side did not feature that word.
An Indian statement on the phone call, however, said that the “two leaders exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest”, and agreed to remain in touch.
“…they reiterated their commitment to take India-Brazil Strategic Partnership to new heights,” it said.
Trump’s tariff campaign appears to be a point of convergence for two of the world’s largest emerging economies and founding BRICS partners, who are facing the steepest US duties.
Lula’s country has been hit with 50% tariffs for what Trump has called a “witch hunt” against former President Jair Bolsonaro. In India’s case, Trump has accused New Delhi of funding Moscow’s “war machine” in Ukraine by buying Russian oil, though he has been silent on the US and European Union’s Russian imports.
While Lula has been a vocal critic of Trump’s tariffs, India has stressed that it will take necessary actions to protect the interests of the nation. Negotiations between Washington and New Delhi on a trade deal are underway.
During the one-hour call, President Lula also announced his state visit to New Delhi early next year.
“In this context, we confirmed the holding of a State visit from Brazil to India early next year. As a preparatory step for the visit, we agreed that Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin will travel to India next October, on the occasion of the Trade Monitoring Mechanism meeting. The delegation will include Brazilian ministers and businesspeople to discuss cooperation in the areas of trade, defense, energy, critical minerals, health, and digital inclusion,” he said in a post on X.