Lula defends Brazilian sovereignty at UN before Trump speech

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva used his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to defend his country's sovereignty and warn against foreign interference in Brazil's October 4 presidential election, delivering the speech shortly before President Donald Trump was due to address the same body. Speaking in New York, Lula said Brazil would not allow domestic or foreign actors to undermine the vote, in which he is seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term. "Brazilian democracy belongs to Brazilians," he said, adding that Brazil will remain a sovereign country. He did not name Trump directly, but referenced what he called a resurgence of hegemonic ambitions and foreign interference in elections across Latin America, saying Brazil does not belong in anyone's backyard. The remarks followed Lula's earlier accusation that the Trump administration is trying to influence Brazil's election through economic pressure. Washington imposed two rounds of tariffs on Brazilian goods in July. Brazil has held off on retaliating while trade negotiations continue, though Lula said in a Monday interview that the country could still invoke its reciprocity law if talks fail.