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Brazil's President Asks Trump to Lift 40% Tariffs

President Donald Trump and Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had a "friendly" talk for 30 minutes Oct. 6, according to an unofficial translation of a Brazilian readout. Trump wrote on social media, "This morning, I had a very good telephone call with President Lula, of Brazil. We discussed many things, but it was mostly focused on the Economy, and Trade, between our two Countries. We will be having further discussions, and will get together in the not too distant future, both in Brazil and the United States. I enjoyed the call — Our Countries will do very well together!"

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The Brazilian government said Lula asked Trump to remove the 40% tariff that was added to an original 10% reciprocal tariff, and pointed out that Brazil is one of only three countries among the 20 largest economies globally that buys more from the U.S. than it exports to the U.S.

Brazil said that Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to continue negotiations with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin.