Lula Says Trump Cannot Rule Other Countries

Lula described current President Donald Trump as acting like an “emperor,” saying, “This is a style I cannot agree with,” and criticizing the notion that the strongest country can make others obey.
Lula made the comments while visiting New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where he was scheduled to deliver the traditional opening speech.
The SBS report characterized Lula’s unusually direct criticism as an effort to deter Trump’s influence from expanding into Brazil ahead of the election and to rally Lula’s political base, amid recent electoral gains by right-wing groups backed by Trump in parts of Latin America.
Lula also extended his criticism to the situation in Venezuela, adding another regional issue to his objections to U.S. involvement in South America.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered a sharp rebuke to Donald Trump during an appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, saying the U.S. president has no right to govern other countries or impose his will on them. Brazilian Report reported that Lula, speaking to CNN's Christiane Amanpour in New York, criticized Trump's "law of the strongest" approach and called for stronger multilateralism and respect for national sovereignty.
Lula also urged the United States not to interfere in Brazil's 2026 presidential election, signaling growing tensions between Brasília and Washington over trade and U.S. criticism of Brazilian affairs. El País reported that Lula declared "Brazil does not fit in anyone's backyard," making his most direct challenge yet to Trump's expanding influence in Latin America.
Lula described Trump as acting like an "emperor" who believes the strongest country can force others to obey. "This is a style I cannot agree with," Nigerian Eye reported him saying. Lula stressed that Brazil remains open to dialogue and negotiations but will not accept external impositions or interference in its internal affairs.
Lula's unusually direct criticism comes as Trump's political allies gain ground across Latin America. Brazilian Report noted that right-wing groups backed by Trump have made recent electoral gains in parts of the region, which analysts believe prompted Lula to rally his political base ahead of Brazil's contested 2026 election.
Lula extended his criticism to include the situation in Venezuela, broadening his objection to U.S. involvement across South America. Head Topics reported that Lula has made national sovereignty a central campaign theme as he faces political pressure from conservative opponents.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Lula defended the post-World War II international order and rejected what he called unilateral rule. El País reported that Lula, as the first head of state to address the assembly, used his platform to signal Brazil's refusal to accept U.S. dominance in its region or electoral process.
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