Lula's government will work this week on a decree to regulate reciprocity with the US, says Rui Costa

Chief of Staff Rui Costa reacted to Donald Trump 's 50% tariffs on Brazilian products, calling the measure "absurd." "It's unbelievable," he said at a ceremony to hand over 260 Minha Casa Minha Vida housing units in Salvador this Sunday, the 13th.

According to him, the government should work on a decree regulating economic reciprocity this week.

"We'll be working this week, meeting with the Minister and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin. The Civil House, MDIC (Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce, and Services), SRI (Secretariat of Institutional Relations), and the Treasury will participate in the working group, which will be coordinated by Alckmin. And throughout the week, we'll draft the decree regulating reciprocity and analyze and prepare the measures by August 1st," he stated.

"When we saw the news, initially, no one believed it. They had to confirm with the Embassy whether it was true or not. This has never happened in the history of international diplomacy, even when sending the letter via social media," said Rui Costa. "The letter has still not arrived physically. Much less blackmail a country or nation," he added.

Costa didn't rule out the possibility of Trump backing down on the 50% tariff on Brazilian products. According to the Chief of Staff, this could happen due to the Republican's record.

"If the tariff is implemented, because he has changed his position on several occasions, we will adopt several measures to protect the economy, employment, and economic activity in our country," he said.