RIO DE JANEIRO, July 29 (NNN-XINHUA) — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday urged the United States to reconsider the proposed 50 percent tariffs on its goods set to take effect on Aug. 1, rejecting using the country’s critical minerals as bargaining chips in trade negotiations.
Speaking at the inauguration of a thermoelectric plant in southeastern Rio de Janeiro state, Lula criticized the tariffs as “abrupt and unilateral,” and dismissed Washington’s suggestion that Brazil’s rare earth minerals be included in trade negotiations.
Lula urged the United States to choose “the path of dialogue,” noting “that’s what civilized nations do.” He added that the mineral resources belong to the Brazilian people, “and the people must have the right to enjoy the wealth they can generate. It’s that simple.”
Noting that only 30 percent of Brazil’s mineral potential has been explored, Lula announced the creation of a commission to carry out a comprehensive survey of the country’s untapped mineral resources.
“We will allow companies to investigate, but under our control,” he said, adding that firms authorized to explore the resources will need government authorization to sell them or transfer rights to the areas where the minerals are located. — NNN-XINHUA
