BRASILIA (AFP)
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Thursday that if US counterpart Donald Trump hiked tariffs on Brazilian products, he would reciprocate, but he would prefer improved relations over a trade war.
The Latin American giant is one of the countries that Trump has threatened with higher tariffs.
"It's very simple: if he taxes Brazilian products, Brazil will reciprocate in taxing products that are exported from the United States," the 79-year-old Lula told a press conference.
Lula, currently in his third term, said he would prefer to "improve our relationship with the United States" and boost trade ties with Brazil's second-largest trading partner after China.
"I want to respect the United States and for Trump to respect Brazil. That's all," he said.