The subservience of the far right and the sovereign response of the government.

This week, Brazil hosted the 17th BRICS Summit. This organization brings together 11 member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran, in a political and diplomatic collaboration between nations of the Global South. 

With agendas focused on cooperation in various areas and strategic objectives of inclusion and sustainability, BRICS works towards a "equitable global order," breaking with the logic of subordination imposed by the former hegemonic powers.

At the conclusion of the meeting held in Rio de Janeiro on July 7, the member countries reaffirmed their commitment to "mutual respect and understanding, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusion, collaboration and consensus". 

Beyond the proposal for “political and security cooperation; economic and financial cooperation; and cultural and interpersonal cooperation,” the bloc aims to strengthen the “strategic partnership” in actions “to promote peace, a more representative and just international order, a revitalized and reformed multilateral system, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.” This is a collective stance in favor of a new, fairer, and more representative global governance.

This effort signals an important shift in the international landscape. The Summit's proposals move away from the logic of one nation dominating others and are based on principles of solidarity and multipolarity. Although the challenges to realizing these commitments are enormous, the mere fact that we can glimpse this horizon is already a breath of fresh air amidst a humanity exhausted by wars, predatory competition, and profound imbalances—persistent marks of imperial unilateralism.

From this perspective, disputes over economic, technological, and geopolitical hegemony have intensified tensions, especially with the declining supremacy of the United States. President Donald Trump's aggressive and arrogant style reveals the desperation of American imperialism in the face of the emergence of new global leaders, such as China and, increasingly, Brazil itself. As President Lula rightly stated, Trump acts as if he wants to become emperor of the world, a delusion that cannot be sustained in the face of the new multipolar configuration.

The most recent evidence of this intimidation attempt occurred precisely during the BRICS Summit in Brazil on July 6th and 7th. Trump provoked the BRICS members digitally by threatening them with sanctions and directly targeted Brazil by expressing his support for the defendant Bolsonaro: “Brazil is doing something terrible in its treatment of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro [...] leave Bolsonaro alone.” Essentially, what Trump did was express his concern about the growing multilateral protagonism of BRICS and Brazil's progressive leadership in this process. President Lula's immediate reaction was firm and necessary: ​​“Brazil does not accept tutelage. We have solid and independent institutions. No one is above the law. Especially those who threaten freedom and the rule of law.”

Regarding tariff threats, Lula reaffirmed the sovereignty of the BRICS countries and harshly criticized Trump's irresponsible conduct: "If he thinks he can impose taxes, the countries also have the right to impose taxes. There is the law of reciprocity." With these statements, the Brazilian president reaffirmed the country's leading role internationally and its respected leadership in defending democracy, while also highlighting the self-determination of the countries.

Trump insists on the delusional idea of ​​becoming the absolute master of the world, despite the fluctuations in the American economy, which is threatened by him and other countries, such as China, which is emerging as a major power that will soon surpass American strength.

The declining empire, however, reacted with even more hostility. On July 9th, Trump published a letter addressed to President Lula on social media. In the text, in addition to announcing a 50% tariff on Brazilian products exported to the United States starting in August, he made references to Bolsonaro's trial for attempted coup against the rule of law, classifying the process as "a witch hunt" that should "end now." A clear attempt to pressure and force a retreat from the Brazilian justice system. 

In his usual truculence, Trump used Jair as a rhetorical tool to reject the strengthening of BRICS, to prevent any regulation of Big Tech companies in Brazil, and at the same time, to project his interest in the election of a far-right candidate for the presidency of Brazil in 2026, who would submit to the interests of the American government, acting as its representative in the command of the country.  

In response to this visibly degrading and blackmailing letter, the Brazilian government wrote a few hours later that: “Brazil is a sovereign country with independent institutions that will not accept being tutored by anyone.” Regarding the unilateral increase in tariffs: “it will be answered in light of the Brazilian law of Economic Reciprocity.” Concerning the passage about the persecution of Bolsonaro, it responded: “The judicial process against those who planned the coup d'état is the sole responsibility of the Brazilian Justice system and, therefore, is not subject to any type of interference or threat that violates the independence of national institutions.” Regarding the letter's mention of freedom of expression: “In Brazil, freedom of expression is not to be confused with aggression or violent practices. To operate in our country, all national and foreign companies are subject to Brazilian law.” (Available on social media).

The nature of this response demonstrates that the sovereignty of the country, defended by a progressive government, will never be negotiated and will never bow to the insane insurgencies of an authoritarian government that considers itself superior to others.  

Meanwhile, internally, for Bolsonaro's supporters, Trump's attitude in favor of Bolsonaro was a perfect fit given the unsustainable situation of the ineligible candidate following the outcome of his trial in the Supreme Court. Eduardo Bolsonaro felt pleased to place his father's interests above national institutions and sovereignty. The family's pattern of action has always been to compromise the entire country to protect its own members from the legal consequences of their actions.

In that same vein, Tarcísio de Freitas, governor of São Paulo and likely candidate from Faria Lima for the presidency in 2026, did not hesitate to support the attack on national sovereignty, publicly praising Trump in yet another gesture of submission and unpatriotic behavior. It is important to emphasize that the state of São Paulo will be the most harmed by the 50% tariff increase imposed by its idol. By acting this way, he ignores the due legal process underway in the Supreme Federal Court and reinforces his lack of commitment to the Democratic Rule of Law. 

It's easy to understand Tarcísio's alignment with Trump's style of governing. His performance in the São Paulo government is marked by policies that harm workers, especially those with middle and low incomes. The precariousness of essential public services, the sale of public assets at ridiculously low prices, and a public security system characterized by selective violence against Black people, the poor, and those on the margins demonstrate the authoritarian and exclusionary model he defends. 

As Minister Fernando Haddad rightly pointed out, commenting on Tarcísio de Freitas' support for Donald Trump: "Either a person is a presidential candidate, or they are a candidate to be a vassal." Tarcísio definitively assumed his subservience by attempting to obtain authorization from the Supreme Federal Court for Bolsonaro to travel to the United States to negotiate tariff reductions with Trump. With this harebrained idea, he revealed his absolute inability to lead not only the government of São Paulo, but also the country.

This stance, however, is not an isolated case. It reflects a broader scenario that has deepened since the coup against Dilma Rousseff, when space was opened for a wave of unqualified politicians uncommitted to the public interest. The disastrous legacy left by the Temer and Bolsonaro administrations fueled an avalanche of unscrupulous parliamentarians from the opportunistic right and the far right, who act exclusively in favor of their own power projects.

Every passing week we witness the discovery of corruption and the misappropriation of public funds through the excessive use of parliamentary amendments. Adding to this chaos is the neoliberal management of right-wing and far-right governments in various states, with privatizations of public assets and bribery-fueled deals that compromise the quality of services offered to the population.

With anti-people agendas in collusion with the financial elite, they continue with their populist speeches to plunder any measure that reduces the abysmal distance between the possessed and the dispossessed.

Inspired by the actions of the Trump administration, the Brazilian far-right is attempting to implement the same regressive policies as the American government, such as: cuts to social programs, tax reductions for the wealthiest, and the elimination of incentives for clean energy and anti-immigrant violence.  

This exclusionary model, besides depriving the majority of rights, preserves and even expands the privileges of social castes that grant themselves scandalous benefits, sustained by public resources. It is not possible to combat inequalities while leaving these privileges untouched, while millions live in precarious conditions, without basic access to labor and social security rights. Brazil needs to break with this perverse logic that protects the few and abandons the vast majority. The selective indignation of the elites, who demonize programs like Bolsa Família and propagate hateful speeches against poor women, exposes their hypocrisy. They ignore the billions diverted in amendments and the luxuries paid for with public money that feed the wealthiest.

Donald Trump's recent offensive definitively exposed the shameful role of the Brazilian far-right and many centrist parliamentarians who remained silent and, in this stance, act as an auxiliary force for imperialist interests, even if it means confronting national institutions and compromising national interests. The explicit submission of Bolsonaro supporters to a foreign leader who openly offends Brazil reveals how much they place personal interests above the nation. 

Given this scenario, the firmness of the Brazilian president was crucial. By responding with dignity to Trump's threats, Lula not only defended Brazilian institutions but also reaffirmed to the world that Brazil does not bow to external impositions, especially when they come from an authoritarian government. The Brazilian government's stance showed that sovereignty is not negotiable and that Brazil, alongside the other BRICS countries, is moving towards building a more just international order based on mutual respect. While the far right insists on acting as a vassal of foreign interests, progressive Brazil reaffirms its commitment to a sovereign, democratic, and solidarity-based future.