Lula urges Trump to resume talks on US tariffs against Brazil

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged US President Donald Trump to resume negotiations over tariffs on Brazilian goods during a phone call Friday.

Lula told Trump that US allegations of unfair trading practices were unfounded, according to a statement from Brazil’s government. The call lasted more than an hour.

Trump proposed that officials from both governments meet as soon as possible, Brazil said. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The call came after relations deteriorated in May, when the US designated two Brazilian criminal groups as terrorist organizations and later imposed 25% tariffs on many Brazilian goods. Lula accused Washington of trying to interfere in Brazil’s October election.

Lula also reiterated Brazil’s interest in cooperating with the US against organized crime, saying the country has tools to confront the groups without a special designation.