Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said in a Tuesday interview that he’s not afraid to criticize President Trump publicly — even if that means no deal can be reached to stave off the 50-percent tariff on Brazilian imports that Trump announced earlier this month and moved to put into action on Wednesday.

In an interview with The New York Times published Wednesday, Lula was asked about his willingness to openly criticize Trump, including calling him an emperor, while other heads of state have been reluctant to do so.

Asked if he thinks that approach “could worsen things,” Lula said, “I don’t.”

“There’s no reason to be afraid,” he continued. “I am worried, obviously, because we have economic interests, political interests,........

© The Hill