Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has told US President Donald Trump that he has no right to impose his will on other nations, insisting that countries must be allowed to protect their sovereignty and pursue their own interests.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Lula said Trump was elected to govern the United States, not other countries.
“President Trump was elected to be the US president. He has the right to govern the US, but he doesn’t have the right to govern other countries,” Lula said.
The Brazilian leader said Washington should engage with other nations through negotiation and partnership rather than attempting to dictate terms.
“He doesn’t have the right to impose his will. He has to have the willingness to negotiate,” Lula added.
Lula accused the Trump administration of pursuing an approach based on the idea that the most powerful country should dictate terms to others.
“I’m the strongest, I’m the mightiest, I’m the richest, I can do everything, and all the others have to obey. I don’t agree with that,” he said.
The Brazilian president also criticised US tariffs on Brazilian imports, describing the measures as being based on what he called “lies”. The United States imposed a 25% tariff on certain Brazilian goods in July, citing concerns over a range of Brazilian policies.
Lula said Brazil had responded by seeking stronger trade relationships with other countries, while stressing that he did not want a trade war with the United States.
“We don’t want to challenge or confront,” he said. “I like to respect and I like to be respected.”
Lula raises concern over Venezuela
Lula also criticised US involvement in Venezuela, saying Washington was giving the impression that it was effectively governing the South American country.
He said Venezuela should be allowed to determine its political future through elections rather than having its affairs directed by another country.
The Brazilian president’s remarks come as world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, with sovereignty, international relations and the role of major powers among the issues dominating discussions.
