Brazil's Lula nods to China as Trump administration proposes 25% tariff

Brazilian President ​Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ‌on Tuesday ​highlighted his country's ties with China after the U.S. proposed a new punitive ‌tariff of 25% on many imports from Latin America's largest economy. * Lula hailed China's decision earlier in the day to recognize Brazil asfree ‌of foot-and-mouth disease, calling it a counterpoint to the U.S.

Brazilian President ​Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ‌on Tuesday ​highlighted his country's ties with China after the U.S. proposed a new punitive ‌tariff of 25% on many imports from Latin America's largest economy.

* Lula hailed China's decision earlier in the day to recognize Brazil asfree ‌of foot-and-mouth disease, calling it a counterpoint to the U.S. ‌move. * "If you don't want to buy from me, I will sell to someone else," Lula said during an event in Goias state.

* The leftist leader ⁠said ​he learned of ⁠the tariff proposal during trade talks, adding that U.S. and Brazilian trade negotiators ⁠had met three times recently but failed to reach a deal. * Lula blamed ​Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro for the U.S. proposal, accusing the ⁠right-wing presidential hopeful of lobbying Washington to impose tariffs.

* Brazil's president also blasted U.S. ⁠Secretary ​of State Marco Rubio, saying he is anti-Latin America and does not like Brazil. * Bolsonaro said earlier on Tuesday he had ⁠urged Trump not to impose tariffs on Brazilian companies.

* The U.S. embassy in ⁠Brazil did ⁠not immediately respond to a request for comment.