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

SAO PAULO, June ‌2 (Reuters) - 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 as free 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.

(Reporting by ‌Gabriel Araujo and ​Eduardo Simoes; Additional reporting by Oliver Griffin; Writing by Isabel Teles; Editing by Paul ‌Simao)

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