‘I Am Stronger, Bigger, Richer’: Lula Hits Back at Trump, Says US President Acts Like ‘Emperor’

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has criticised US President Donald Trump’s style of governance, saying he does not agree with what he described as an “emperor”-like approach to power.

Speaking to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Lula said Trump appeared to govern from the belief that being stronger, wealthier and more powerful allowed the United States to dictate terms to others.

“He acts like an emperor. It is a way of governing that I do not agree with,” Lula said.

Lula further explained his criticism by describing the approach as one in which a leader believes: “I am strong, I am bigger, I am richer, I can do anything, and everyone else has to obey.” He said he rejected what he referred to as the “law of the strongest.”

The remarks come amid strained relations between Brasília and Washington. Lula and Trump have clashed over US tariffs on Brazilian imports as well as the Trump administration’s relationship with supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro, whose son Flavio Bolsonaro is among the candidates in Brazil’s upcoming presidential election, was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison over his role in an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 election result.

Lula is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, potentially putting him in the same diplomatic setting as Trump. Brazil is due to hold its presidential election in October, with Flavio Bolsonaro among those seeking the presidency.

Lula Calls for No US Interference

Lula also urged the US not to intervene in Brazil’s electoral process, saying the country’s voters should determine who becomes president.

“It is very important that the United States do not meddle in the elections of Brazil, as I do not meddle in the US elections,” he said.

The Brazilian leader also raised concerns over US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s proximity to the Bolsonaro family. At the same time, Lula acknowledged that there was no concrete evidence at present to establish that the US was interfering in Brazil’s election.

Tariffs Further Strain Relations

Trade tensions have added another layer to the dispute between the two countries. Washington imposed an additional 25% tariff on certain Brazilian imports in July, while Lula has accused the Trump administration of using trade policy for political purposes.

Lula said Brazil remained willing to negotiate with Washington and would consider retaliatory action only if diplomatic and trade talks failed to resolve the dispute.