Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a phone call from his Brazilian counterpart on Thursday — a day after US President Donald Trump imposed 25% additional tariffs against the country. The two leaders reiterated their commitment towards a bilateral partnership and ‘exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest’. Modi and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, technology, energy, defence, agriculture, health, and people-to-people ties. Both Brazil and India now face a 50% tariff from the US — with the curbs against New Delhi taking effect in late August.
“Had a good conversation with President Lula. Thanked him for making my visit to Brazil memorable and meaningful. We are committed to deepening our Strategic Partnership, including in trade, energy, tech, defence, health, and more. A strong, people-centric partnership between Global South nations benefits everyone,” Modi wrote on X.
PM Modi ‘ready to pay a huge price’
The interaction came hours after PM Modi insisted that India would never compromise with the interests of its farmers and fishermen — calling it a “top priority”. The remarks were delivered at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference at Delhi minutes after the 25% reciprocal tariffs imposed by Trump came into effect.
“The interest of farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise with the interests of its farmers, livestock holders, and fishermen. And I know that I will have to pay a huge price for this personally, but I am ready. India is ready, for the sake of the country’s farmers, fishermen, and livestock holders,” he said.
Lula hits back at Trump: ‘I will call PM Modi instead of you’
Brazilian President Lula had also struck a similarly defiant note on Tuesday — turning down an offer from Trump to ‘call anytime to discuss tariffs’.
Bilateral tensions between the two nations have soared in recent weeks as the POTUS sought to defend former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro from facing a trial in his own country. Trump had slapped a 50% tariff against Brasilia last month — officially to fight what he called a “witch hunt” against the former leader currently on trial for plotting a coup after his 2022 election loss. Trump has cited ‘unfair trade practices’ by Brasil as well as the “unfair” legal actions against Bolsonaro as official reasons for the tariffs.
“The day my intuition tells me Trump is ready to talk, I won’t hesitate to reach out to him. But today my intuition tells me he doesn’t want to talk. And I’m not going to humiliate myself…I will call Xi Jinping, I will call Prime Minister Modi. I won’t call Putin, because he can’t travel now. But I will call many Presidents,” he had said earlier this week.
(With inputs from agencies)