Haddad attacks the US for its “hostile attitude” toward Brazil

Finance Minister Fernando Haddad attacked the United States government this Saturday (23), stating that relations between the two countries were the target of a “hostile attitude” influenced by Brazilian right-wing groups that only want to protect alleged “coup plotters”.

The criticisms were made during a conference held by the PT, earlier, with the presence of Vice President Geraldo Alckmin (PSB), who is also Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce (MDIC) and is leading negotiations with the United States on the 50% tariff increase imposed on Brazilian products exported there.

"This hostile attitude surprised us due to the actions of Brazilian far-right groups that are anything but patriotic. We saw from the messages exchanged [revealed by the Federal Police] that their sole objective is to save face for the coup plotters," the minister stated.

Fernando Haddad went further, stating that the alleged act of hostility was solely aimed at "rehabilitating the far right in Brazil." He stated that negotiations prior to the imposition of the tariff hike, referring to the first tariffs imposed in March, were progressing with positive expectations until the change in tone from the United States.

"We cannot give up our sovereignty and the independence of the powers. [...] Without bravado, but upholding the dignity and sobriety of our people," he emphasized.

More recently, he had a conversation canceled with the United States Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, who, days later, appeared in a photo with federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) and journalist Paulo Figueiredo.

Alckmin also complained that he has been unable to speak to his US counterpart, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, for several weeks , and that negotiations are only taking place at a technical level.

This week, the Federal Police indicted Eduardo and his father ,Jair Bolsonaro (PL), for their alleged actions to orchestrate sanctions against Brazil as coercion in the Supreme Federal Court (STF) proceedings investigating an alleged coup attempt after the 2022 elections. This was allegedly being orchestrated by them even under the precautionary measures imposed on the former president by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, such as the use of social media and communication between them.

This prompted Moraes to order Bolsonaro's defense to present clarifications. Bolsonaro's lawyers refuted the Federal Police's allegations .

The minister forwarded the statement to the Attorney General's Office (PGR), which will have until Monday (25) to decide whether it agrees to keep the former president under house arrest or whether it will be converted to preventive detention in a closed regime even before the trial begins – scheduled for September 2.