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Lula urged Trump to "speak softly" with him, stating that yelling wouldn’t change matters. This suggests that he perceives a potential confrontation with Trump as politically advantageous. The backdrop of this spat is Trump's recent imposition of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum in a manner reminiscent of his earlier policies during the Bolsonaro administration, which managed to negotiate exemptions for Brazil.
Lula's current efforts to defend Brazilian interests may, in fact, serve a dual purpose: addressing economic challenges while simultaneously boosting his political standing at home.