Lula: Removal of the surcharge was a step in the right direction, but we need to advance even further

By Pepita Ortega Brasília, 11/20/2025 - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva classified this Thursday, the 20th, the withdrawal by the United States government of the 40% surcharge applied to some Brazilian products, as a "victory of dialogue, diplomacy, and common sense". According to Lula, the decision was a "step in the right direction", but it is necessary to "advance even more". "The frank dialogue that I maintained with President Trump and the action of our negotiation teams, formed by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and ministers Fernando Haddad and Mauro Vieira on the Brazilian side, allowed for important advances," he noted. Lula highlighted that the government will continue the dialogue with Trump "guided by our sovereignty and the interests of Brazilian workers, agriculture, and industry". In a video, the head of the Executive emphasized that the US decision is "very important for the civilized relationship that must exist between Brazil and the United States". "I think ...