Lula: BRICS to keep exploring dollar alternatives
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Thursday night (Jul. 10) that BRICS—a forum that brings together major countries from the so-called Global South—will continue to explore more autonomous mechanisms to strengthen trade relations. Lula’s remarks, made in two television interviews, come amid escalating tensions with the United States following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 50 percent tariff on all Brazilian exports.
“BRICS is a forum that represents half of the world’s population and nearly 30 percent of global GDP...BRICS countries, including Brazil, are also part of the G20—where Mr. Trump represents the United States,” the president said in an interview aired on TV Globo’s Jornal Nacional.
“We are tired of being subordinate to the North. We want independence in our policies, we want freer trade—and things are progressing wonderfully. We are even discussing the possibility of creating our own currency, or perhaps using each country’s national currency for trade, without relying on the dollar,” the president added.
Civilized discussion
In another interview, aired on Jornal da Record TV, Lula also emphasized that Trump’s action against Brazil reflects his dissatisfaction with BRICS’ growing global leadership.
“I am not obliged to purchase dollars to trade with countries like Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, Sweden, the European Union, or China. We can use our own currencies. Why should I be tied to the dollar, a currency I do not control? It’s the United States that prints dollars, not us,” Lula stated critically.
The president emphasized that any disagreement should be addressed at the negotiating table—not through trade retaliation or interference in a country’s sovereignty.
“If he [Trump] had a disagreement, the right thing to do would be to raise the issue at a G20 meeting, have a civilized discussion, convince us, and talk it through. What he can’t do is act like he owns everyone else,” Lula stated.
In an interview with TV Globo, Lula explained that, for now, he does not intend to call Trump but will defend the Brazilian productive sector by opening new markets. The president noted that the American’s tone is disrespectful and that he will not accept such behavior.
“He could have called Brazil, for example, to say what measures he was going to take. He didn’t send any letter; we didn’t receive any letter. Instead, he published it on his website—a total lack of respect, which reflects how he behaves with everyone. I am not obliged to accept this disrespectful behavior between heads of state, or in human relations,” he added.
