The Brazilian president prioritizes negotiations in the trade dispute, but announces that if the White House carries out the threat, he will respond with reciprocal levies

After the US president’s July 9 threat, Lula said his government would respond in kind if tariffs go into effect on August 1 as planned.

U.S. President Donald Trump says his high tariffs for Brazil are partially due to its legal case against former President Jair Bolsonaro. The threat reflects ties between Bolsonaro’s family and the U.