Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva rejected the U.S. justifications for imposing new tariffs, calling them "unfounded" in a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday. Photo by Andre Borges/EPA
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he spoke by phone with President Donald Trump on Friday to push for resuming bilateral trade negotiations and discuss efforts to contain international conflicts.
According to Brazil's presidential office, the 80-minute conversation resulted in an agreement for representatives of both governments to resume talks aimed at resolving the trade dispute, Agência Brasil reported.
During what the Brazilian government described as a "friendly and cordial" conversation, Lula rejected the U.S. justifications for imposing new tariffs, calling them "unfounded."
The recent trade barriers imposed by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative include an additional 25% tariff over alleged unfair practices and another 12.5% tariff linked to alleged shortcomings in efforts to combat forced labor.
