Lula: Brazil does not want to challenge the United States, but needs to defend its strategic interests.

Reference News Network August 4 report - According to Brazil's Agencia Brasil on August 3, Brazilian President Lula stated on August 3 in a speech regarding the US imposing a 50% tariff on Brazil that Brazil should not give up seeking alternatives to the dollar as a currency for international transactions.

"I will not abandon my beliefs; we need to seek the establishment of an alternative currency so that we can trade with other countries. We should not be subject to the dollar," Lula emphasized.

At a Workers' Party convention in Brasilia, Lula emphasized that Brazil does not want to challenge the United States, but Brazil has strategic interests that need to be defended. He said that Brazil is not a "small republic" and he hopes for negotiations on equal terms.

He commented: "The United States is large, it is the most warlike country in the world, the most technologically advanced country, and also the largest economy in the world. All of these are very important. But we hope our size is also respected. We have economic and strategic interests, we desire development, and we are not a small republic. It is unacceptable to try to use political issues to impose economic taxes on us."

Lula also said that negotiations with the United States regarding the newly imposed tariffs require caution and diplomatic responsibility, and he emphasized that there are "limits to the discussion" in negotiations with the US government.

"I cannot say everything I think should be said; I must speak about what is possible," Lula said.

On the other hand, the Brazilian president also added that the Brazilian government remains willing to negotiate with the United States. Although the economic importance of the US to Brazil has decreased compared to the past, diplomatic relations still need to be maintained.

"Now, Brazil's dependence on the United States is not as it was before. Brazil has extensive trade relationships around the world. From an economic perspective, we are more at ease. However, obviously, I will not ignore the importance of diplomatic relations with the United States," Lula said. (Translated by Wang Meng)

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