'No coordination yet, but there will be': Lula pushes for BRICS action on US tariffs

New Delhi: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced plans to hold talks with BRICS leaders on a possible joint response to US tariffs, after President Donald Trump targeted member nations of the bloc.

Speaking to Reuters, Lula said he intends to begin consultations with India and China, signalling a coordinated BRICS strategy could soon take shape.

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"There is no coordination among the BRICS yet, but there will be," Lula said. "What is the negotiating power of one little country with the United States? None." The US imposed steep tariffs of 50 per cent on imports from both Brazil and India, founding members of BRICS.

Despite the tariff hike, Lula made it clear he would not reach out to Trump directly, saying that he will not "humiliate" himself by calling Trump, who he says is not ready to receive his call. "The day my intuition says Trump is ready to talk, I won't hesitate to call him," Lula said. "But today my intuition says he doesn't want to talk. And I won't humiliate myself."

Instead, he reiterated his stance on engaging with with BRICS partners first. Lula had earlier said that he will call PM Modi or instead Chinese President Xi Jinping rather than Trump.

Although Brazil is among the hardest hit by the new tariffs, reports suggest the country's economy remains resilient. The trade barriers are unlikely to derail Latin America's largest economy, giving Lula the space to hold his ground.

Lula also said his government is focused on domestic measures to soften the economic impact of the US tariffs, while maintaining fiscal discipline. Brazilian ministers are reportedly finding it difficult to open formal talks with their American counterparts.

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Trump has linked the tariffs to his demand that Brazil end the prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently facing trial for his alleged role in attempting to overturn the 2022 election.

Meanwhile, Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order doubling tariffs on Indian goods, from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, over New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil which he said was fuelling Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine.