Brazilian President: ‘Trump has no right to threaten countries’

“Trump has no right to get up in the morning and threaten a country,” the Brazilian leader told the Spanish daily El Pais, adding that according to the US constitution, the president shares responsibility for war and foreign policy with Congress. “The key is for powerful leaders to take more responsibility for maintaining peace,” added the 80-year-old Lula.

The leftist president of Brazil and his 79-year-old American counterpart, a right-wing populist, clash on a number of issues, including multilateralism, international trade and the fight against climate change, writes AFP. Relations between Brasilia and Washington are still strained despiteč last year’s meeting between the two presidents, which led to a slight easing of tensions and a reduction in tariffs. Lula repeated his call for reform of the United Nations Security Council, including the abolition of the veto power of the body’s five permanent members and the inclusion of more countries from Africa and Latin America.

“It is time to redefine the United Nations to give it credibility,” Lula said, referring to the US president’s criticism that the international system established after World War II no longer works.

Lula spoke with El Pais ahead of his visit to Spain, where he will meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and participate in a forum of progressive leaders. Other participants expected at Saturday’s meeting in Barcelona include Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and her South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.