Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described the revocation of the visa of the Brazilian ambassador to the US, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti – reported on Tuesday (Aug. 4) by the Trump administration – as an irresponsible and ill-advised move.

The US justified the measure by citing Brazil’s delay in responding to the request for diplomatic approval of the Trump administration’s nominee to head the US Embassy in Brazil.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Workers’ Party officially nominates Lula as presidential candidate.
• Brazil condemns US decision to revoke ambassador’s visa.

The Brazilian government refuted the allegations, stating that they were false.

“[Trump] then took the step of revoking our ambassador’s visa. If she leaves [the US] and comes here, she’ll have to apply for a visa again. An irresponsible, ill-advised move for a country with 203 years of diplomatic history and relations. Uncalled for,” President Lula said.

The statement was made during an interview with news outlets on Wednesday (5).

“The US doesn’t take its ambassador to Brazil seriously. [Trump] has been in office for a year and a half and hasn’t sent one here. Then he tried to send one and thinks we’re obligated to set the date they want. That’s not right; it’s not possible. We’d like to be treated with respect,” he added.

Elections

Amid a series of diplomatic incidents, President Lula’s press office issued a statement on Tuesday noting that the denial of visas to two US government officials was justified because their presence in the country was intended to cast doubt on the Brazilian electoral system.

In his remarks, Lula reiterated that he will not accept any attempt at foreign interference in the October elections.

“Brazil is not only prepared but will stand up to anyone from outside the country who seeks to interfere in our electoral process.”

The Brazilian government condemned the revocation of the visa of its ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, announced on Tuesday (Aug. 4). The US government justified the measure by citing Brazil’s delay in granting agrément to the Trump administration’s nominee to head the US Embassy in Brazil.

Brazil refuted the allegations, stating they were false.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil says US tariffs violate WTO rules.
• Tariff hike: Brazil files WTO complaint against US measures.
• Brazilian companies hit by US tariff hike to have BRL 18.5B in aid.

“The Brazilian government condemns the decision announced today by the US State Department to change the visa status of Brazil’s ambassador in Washington. Both justifications are false.”

In a statement released by the government’s Communications Secretariat, Brazil asserted that the US violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations by disclosing the name of its nominee to head the US Embassy in Brazil. According to the government, the nominee’s name could only be made public after the host country had granted agrément.

The US request, the statement adds, is still under review, and “the Vienna Convention does not stipulate a deadline for granting agrément.”

“Hostile measures”

The Brazilian government also cited the denial of entry to two US government officials, saying the measure was justified because the purpose of their visit was to cast doubt on Brazil’s electoral system.

“It is also obvious that there is an unwarranted interest in interfering in the upcoming presidential election.”

The statement asserts that the revocation of the ambassador’s visa is part of a “deliberate escalation of hostile measures” against Brazil.

“This decision is not an isolated incident. It is part of a deliberate escalation of hostile measures against Brazil, motivated by ideological considerations incompatible with a bilateral partnership that has always been guided by mutual respect.”

The Planalto presidential palace noted that Brazilian officials, including government officials and justices of the Supreme Court, remain subject to sanctions under the Magnitsky Act, imposed by the US government in retaliation for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s conviction for attempting a coup d’état. It also emphasized that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been working to foster understanding between the two countries.

“The Brazilian government has spared no effort to resolve these differences. During his visit to Washington last May, President Lula himself asked President Trump, among other things, to lift the individual sanctions.”

The Brazilian government has rejected the United States’ decision to extend its national emergency declaration regarding Brazil for another year.

In a statement released on Tuesday (Jul. 28), the government’s Social Communication Secretariat (Secom) said the Executive branch considered the White House’s justifications unfounded and reaffirmed national sovereignty and the independence of the branches of government.

Notícias relacionadas:

• US extends national emergency against Brazil.
• Tariff hike: Brazil files WTO complaint against US measures.
• Tariff hike: In Washington Post article, Lula criticizes US stance.

According to the official statement, the US decision repeats factually unsupported accusations that Brazil poses a threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.

In the statement, the Brazilian government asserts that the declaration “reiterates unfounded and untrue arguments,” citing alleged violations of freedom of expression and human rights, as well as claims of political persecution of a former Brazilian president, his family, and his supporters.

The Executive branch also declared that “it is entirely inappropriate to characterize Brazil as a threat to the United States, especially in light of the historic diplomatic ties and friendship that unite the two peoples.”

Secom further noted that the accusations have already been extensively rejected in meetings between officials from both countries. The government emphasized that the Brazilian Judiciary operates independently and in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

Measure extended

On Tuesday (28), the White House announced a one-year extension of the national emergency regarding Brazil, maintaining the executive order signed by President Donald Trump on July 30, 2025.

Following its publication in the Federal Register-the US government’s official jornal-and its transmission to the US Congress, the measure will remain in force until at least July 30, 2027.

In its justification, the US government stated that the conditions that prompted the issuance of Executive Order 14323 persist.

Diplomatic tensions rise

The extension of the national emergency follows a year of escalating tensions between Brasília and Washington. Since the executive order was issued in July 2025, the Trump administration has adopted a series of measures against Brazil, including the initiation of trade investigations, the imposition of tariffs on Brazilian products, and criticism of Supreme Court decisions concerning content moderation on digital platforms and the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

In response, the Brazilian government intensified diplomatic negotiations with US officials and challenged the measures at the World Trade Organization (WTO), arguing that the tariffs violate international trade rules. Members of the Executive branch have also reiterated that the Judiciary operates independently, while the Supreme Court maintains that its rulings adhere to the Constitution and Brazilian law.

Despite diplomatic efforts, the measures adopted by the US administration have been maintained and expanded over the past year. The statement released by Secom marks the Brazilian government’s first official response following the announcement of the extension of the national emergency.

The White House announced a one-year extension of the US national emergency regarding Brazil. The decision keeps in effect the executive order signed by the US president on July 30, 2025, declaring that the Brazilian government’s policies and actions pose an “unusual and extraordinary” threat to US national security, foreign policy, and the economy.

The statement was released on Tuesday (Jul. 28) and will be published on Wednesday (29) in the Federal Register, the official gazette of the US government. It will also be forwarded to the US Congress. With this renewal, the national emergency will remain in effect until at least July 30, 2027.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Tariff hike: Brazil files WTO complaint against US measures.
• Tariff hike: In Washington Post article, Lula criticizes US stance.
• Tariff hike: New 12.5% US tariff on Brazilian products takes effect.

In its justification, the US government states that the conditions that gave rise to Executive Order 14323 continue to exist. According to the text, members of the Brazilian government are adopting policies and practices that interfere with the US economy, violate human rights, restrict the freedom of expression of US citizens, and undermine the country’s interests in protecting its citizens and businesses.

The document also cites actions by Brazil’s Supreme Court. According to the White House, the Court’s decisions ordering the removal of online content and the arrest of individuals for protesting are examples of “censorship” and continue to pose a threat to US interests.

The US government also reiterated that a former Brazilian president, his family, and his supporters are being subjected to political persecution, which, according to the White House, undermines the rule of law and contributes to human rights violations in Brazil.

US offensive

The US renewal of the national emergency comes after a year of escalating tensions between the US and Brazilian governments. Since the executive order was issued in July 2025, the Trump administration has adopted a series of measures against Brazil, including launching trade investigations, imposing tariffs on Brazilian products, and criticizing Supreme Court decisions on content moderation by digital platforms and cases involving former President Jair Bolsonaro.

In response, the Brazilian government has intensified diplomatic negotiations with US officials and challenged the measures at the World Trade Organization (WTO), arguing that the tariffs violate international trade rules. Members of the Brazilian executive branch have also reiterated that the judiciary acts independently, while the Supreme Court maintains that its decisions comply with the Constitution and national legislation. Despite the negotiations and Brazilian official statements, the Trump administration has maintained and expanded the measures over the past year.

The US newspaper The Washington Post published an op-ed on Sunday (Jul. 26) by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticizing the US government’s tariff measures against Brazil. In the article, Lula challenged the arguments used to justify the tariffs, argued that such measures would also harm the US economy, and stated that “Brazil will not be defeated based on lies.”

The president also argued that Trump’s decision had an ideological component, claiming that it was intended to interfere in Brazilian politics and this year’s elections. The article was also shared on the president’s social media channels.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Tariff hike: US excludes 471 products from new 12.5% tariff.
• Tariff hike: Reciprocity is not retaliation, says vice-president.
• Brazil says US tariffs are unjustified.

“Attempts to impose ideological constraints on the bilateral partnership, or to instrumentalize it for electoral purposes, are unfounded. Never before has a US Secretary of State labeled Brazil an unfriendly country. No one will defeat us based on lies,” said Lula.

The Brazilian president was referring to remarks by Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State who, in early June, excluded Brazil from the list of US-friendly countries in Latin America.

In the article, Lula reiterated the argument the Brazilian government has made since the tariffs were announced in April 2025: that the US maintains a trade surplus with Brazil. He added that Brazil would seek new trading partners around the world.

“In the medium term, these tariffs will disrupt highly integrated production chains, and Brazilian companies will replace US suppliers with other partners,” the president emphasized.

“Strategic error”

On July 15, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) imposed a 25 percent surcharge on various Brazilian products.

The tariffs affected exports of iron and steel, apparel, footwear, sugar, ethanol, pharmaceuticals, agricultural machinery, non-aviation electrical machinery, and other manufactured goods.

The USTR justified the tariffs by arguing that certain Brazilian practices were unreasonable and burdened or restricted trade for US farmers, workers, innovators, and exporters. In his Washington Post op-ed, Lula countered the USTR’s position:

“Beyond being unfair, the new tariffs are a strategic error: they harm the US economy and the partnership with Brazil. Various US industrial sectors rely on Brazilian inputs. Food, footwear, textiles, furniture, auto parts, and many other products will reach US consumers at higher prices.”

Lula also defended Brazil’s efforts to combat deforestation, its legislation addressing crimes committed on social media, and Pix - the instant payment system used in Brazil. All of these issues had been criticized by the US government in recent months.

“We respect the sovereignty of other states and negotiate with all those who respect ours. Reciprocity is the foundation of every relationship between nations, and we have appropriate mechanisms to guarantee it,” the president concluded, reaffirming Brazil’s openness to dialogue.