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Through a fresh interview, the nation’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that he has “no rapport” in any way with ex- American leader Donald Trump.

President da Silva repeatedly criticized the former president, however this is the strongest statement yet that in his view exchange between the two leaders is currently totally nonexistent.

Trade Disputes and Taxes

Even with the US enjoying a favorable trade balance with Brazil, Donald Trump enforced duties of fifty percent on Brazilian products back in the summer.

Lula characterized these tariffs as “clearly political” and noted that US shoppers would soon see increased prices for imported items.

“US citizens will pay for the errors Mr. Trump is committing in his approach with our country.”

No Direct Communication

The two leaders never once communicated one-on-one. When asked regarding the reason he did not tried to contact Trump, President Lula stated: “I never attempted to make contact because he did not desire to have a dialogue.”

Even though Trump stated that Lula could “contact him whenever,” Lula insisted that members of the Trump Administration “did not wish to talk.”

Additionally, he mentioned that he initially heard about the new taxes via local newspapers.

Speaking about Trump, he remarked that he “didn’t communicate in a proper way. He only posted them on platform.”

‘He Is No Ruler of the World!’

Lula highlighted that his strained relationship with Trump are the exception, stating that he has developed positive connections with former American leaders, UK prime ministers, the EU, Chinese authorities, Ukraine, Venezuela and “all countries worldwide.”

Pressed about who he had a better connection with – Donald Trump or Russian President Putin – he defended his relationship with the Russian leader, saying they established them when both were presidents “years ago.”

“There is no connection with Trump as when he was elected, I was not president. His ties was with the former president, not with Brazil.”

Additionally, he commented that if he saw Trump at next week’s United Nations General Assembly, he would “greet him since I consider myself a respectful person,” but he added that he may be “president of the United States, but he’s not emperor on the planet!”

Remarks on Former President and Coup Charges

The president further commented on his predecessor, Bolsonaro, who was last week convicted by Brazil’s highest court.

A 4-1 decision, judges concluded the ex-president culpable of orchestrating a coup after losing the presidential race to President Lula and sentenced him to over two decades in prison.

Lula claimed that Bolsonaro and his co-conspirators had “harmed the country, tried to carry out a coup, and conspired assassination.”

He also slammed Trump for “spreading misinformation” by stating that Bolsonaro was being targeted and denouncing the condition of democratic institutions in Brazil.

Lula also remarked that if the 6 January Capitol riots had occurred in his country instead of the US, the former president would have been prosecuted.

UN Reform and Global Relations

During the broad interview, the president further advocated for reform of the UN.

He questioned the reality that five nations – the P5 of the Security Council – hold the authority to veto resolutions and stated that this tilted the balance in support of those who won World War Two, leaving out nations like billions of people including Brazil, Germany, the Indians, Japan, as well as many African countries.

The result, Lula argued, the United Nations doesn’t “possess the strength to address disputes” and the P5 nations take “one-sided” decisions about going to war.

Energy and Climate Policy

Interviewers also questioned President Lula about November’s COP30 conference, where Brazil will host world leaders in the Amazon region of Belém.

At home, the Brazilian president has encountered criticism over his support for potential oil extraction for oil off the mouth of the Amazon.

The country’s national oil firm Petrobras and other companies have acquired leases for drilling and are awaiting licenses.

His own environment minister, Silva, has strongly opposed the project, and some environmental organizations fear it could risk environmental disasters in waters adjacent to the rainforest.

Lula maintained that the government was strictly following the regulations in its studies and that if there were leaks, then “the nation would be liable and resolve any problem.”

Lula further mentioned that he favors a planet without non-renewables however “this moment has not happen so far.”

“I want to know any country that has the capacity to complete an green transformation and able of phasing out traditional energy.”

The president, who is seventy-nine years of age, mentioned that he has not yet determined if he would seek another term in the 2026 elections.

He said that his health and his political group would decide that – as well as whether it was politically opportune and whether he stood a possibility of success.

Lula dropped in the polls lately, but gained a rise following Trump enacted tariffs on Brazil.

In closing, Lula remarked that his achievements included lowering {hunger|food insecurity