Lula Dials Xi, Plans Talk With Modi as BRICS Mulls Response to Trump’s Tariff Hike

Lula Rallies BRICS for United Response to Trump’s Tariff Offensive.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is pushing for a coordinated BRICS response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalating trade tariffs, calling Washington’s actions “unilateral” and a threat to multilateral global cooperation.

Lula has already spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping and plans to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of a broader diplomatic effort to align BRICS nations ahead of the upcoming forum. As the current chair of BRICS, Lula said he will also consult with Russia and South Africa to assess the impact of the tariffs on each member state.

“Trump wants to dismantle multilateralism and replace it with one-on-one bargaining, where smaller nations have no leverage,” Lula said. “What bargaining power does a small Latin American country have against the United States? None.”

His remarks come amid growing concern across emerging economies, as the U.S. administration ramps up trade barriers. Trump recently labeled BRICS “anti-American” and threatened a 10% tariff on goods from its member countries. Several BRICS nations—India, Brazil, China, and South Africa—are already facing steep tariffs under Trump’s latest trade policies.

Brazil, in particular, was hit with a 50% tariff on certain exports, which Trump linked to what he called a “witch hunt” against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. On Wednesday, the White House added another 25% tariff on Indian imports, citing India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. China and South Africa have faced tariffs of up to 30%, with some Chinese products taxed even higher.

Backing Lula’s position, China has voiced its support for Brazil’s right to development. In a call with Lula’s chief advisor Celso Amorim, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the U.S. for weaponizing tariffs. “Such actions violate the UN Charter, undermine WTO rules, and are ultimately unsustainable,” Wang said.

Lula emphasized that BRICS, with ten member states in the G20, has the potential to act collectively in defense of multilateralism and global trade norms. “We need to understand how each country is being affected so that we can respond together,” he said.

While the precise nature of the response is yet to be outlined, Lula’s initiative signals a more assertive BRICS stance in global trade politics, amid rising tensions with the U.S.