Lula Calls Marco Rubio a Frustrated Latin American Amid U.S. Tariff Dispute

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accused U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio of disliking Brazil and called him a “frustrated Latin American” on Friday, as tensions between Brasília and Washington intensify over tariffs and diplomatic sanctions.

Speaking during a visit to Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) in São José dos Campos, São Paulo state, Lula said Rubio was a supporter of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and opposed several Latin American countries.

“He does not like Brazil. He does not like Latin America,” Lula said, according to O Globo. “He is a frustrated Latin American. He is of Cuban descent from Miami, hates Cuba, hates Colombia and hates Brazil.”

Lula said he had previously raised Rubio’s position during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. According to the Brazilian president, he delivered documents on Brazil’s trade balance and expected further discussions between the two governments.

He said the Brazilian government contacted the White House weekly but received no call. Instead, Lula said, the United States announced a new tariff package that increased duties on Brazilian products by an additional 2.5%.

Dispute Over Economic Policy

Rubio criticized Lula on social media last month, saying the Brazilian president’s economic policies were harmful to both Americans and Brazilians. Rubio also accused Lula of placing his “own ego above the realization of an agreement.”

The dispute has expanded beyond trade. The United States has imposed sanctions on Brazilian officials, including the suspension of the visa of Brazil’s ambassador in Washington, Maria Luiza Viotti, according to O Globo’s report.

The article is based on single-source reporting from O Globo. The source does not provide a U.S. government response to Lula’s latest remarks or additional details about the tariff measures.

Planned Contact With Trump

Lula told lawmakers from the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) and the Sustainability Network (Rede) that he would seek to speak with Trump next week, according to accounts from two participants cited by O Globo. The meeting took place at the Alvorada Palace, Brazil’s presidential residence, to formalize the parties’ support for Lula’s reelection.

According to those accounts, Lula discussed the war in Ukraine and criticized the United Nations Security Council’s efforts to end the conflict. He also said he had spoken in recent days with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war.

It remains unclear whether Lula intends to use the planned conversation with Trump to address the broader deterioration in Brazil-U.S. relations, including tariffs and sanctions against Brazilian officials.