August 26, 2025
Brazilian president Lula de Silva
The Brazilian president emphasized that Big Techs must comply with his country’s constitution and laws.
On Tuesday, Brazilian President Lula da Silva said that Big Tech companies will have to comply with Brazilian law to operate in the country, as his government prepares a bill to regulate social media that runs counter to U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies.
Previously, on Monday, Trump made a new tariff threat, warning that countries with digital taxes, legislation, rules or regulations will face substantial additional tariffs.
“The U.S. government acts as if it were the emperor of the planet and continues to make threats to the entire world,” Lula said during a meeting with his Cabinet.
Trump views technology companies “as U.S. property and does not accept anyone interfering with them,” Lula added, stressing that this would not happen in Brazil.
“We are a sovereign country. We have a Constitution. Anyone who wants to enter these 8.5 million square kilometers—our airspace, maritime territory or forests—must comply with our Constitution and our legislation,” the Brazilian president said.
Previously, Trump imposed 50% tariffs on much of Brazil’s exports to the United States in retaliation for the criminal trial on coup plotting faced by former President Jair Bolsonaro.
In response to Washington’s stance, Lula reiterated that his government is “ready 24 hours a day to negotiate trade issues but not its sovereignty.”
Lula also referred to Bolsonaro and the efforts of his son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, who has boasted of lobbying U.S. authorities in favor of sanctions against Brazil. Eduardo Bolsonaro has been in the United States for the past six months.
“What is happening with the former president’s family and his son is possibly one of the greatest betrayals our homeland has ever suffered,” Lula told the 38 members of his Cabinet.
Source: Telesur