Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has launched a scathing attack on US President Donald Trump's proposal to create a new international peace council, accusing Washington of seeking to establish a global body where the United States would be the ultimate authority. Speaking on January 23, 2026, Lula declared that Trump's initiative amounted to a plan to create a 'new UN' under US control, bypassing the existing multilateral framework that has governed international relations for decades.

Trump's Peace Council Proposal

The proposed 'Peace Council' was unveiled earlier this month by the Trump administration, which described it as a streamlined alternative to the United Nations, designed to address global conflicts more efficiently. Details remain scarce, but Trump has indicated that the council would include a smaller group of nations, prioritize US interests, and wield significant power to enforce resolutions. Critics, including Lula, see it as an attempt to sideline the UN Security Council and undermine the principle of equal sovereignty among states.

Lula's Sharp Response

'President Trump proposes to create a new UN of which he would be the sole master,' Lula told reporters in Brasília. 'This is not about peace; it is about domination. The United Nations, for all its flaws, represents a forum where all nations, big and small, have a voice. What Trump wants is a council that answers only to him.' The Brazilian leader's remarks came during a press conference focused on Brazil's foreign policy, and they were immediately picked up by international media.

Broader US-Brazil Tensions

Lula's criticism is the latest flashpoint in a rapidly deteriorating relationship between the two largest economies in the Americas. In recent months, Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on a wide range of Brazilian exports, citing political grievances over the prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro, a close ally of Trump, was sentenced to 27 years in prison in September 2025 for orchestrating a coup plot to prevent Lula's inauguration after the 2022 elections. Trump has repeatedly denounced the trial as a 'witch hunt' and has pressured Brazil by threatening further economic sanctions.

Diplomatic Fallout

Lula has responded firmly, asserting that Brazil's democracy and sovereignty are not negotiable. In a op-ed published in The New York Times in September 2025, Lula wrote, 'The judgment is the result of procedures conducted in accordance with the Brazilian Constitution of 1988, promulgated after two decades of struggle against a military dictatorship.' He added that US pressure would not deter Brazil from upholding its judicial independence. The Trump administration has also sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the lead judge in the Bolsonaro case, freezing any assets he may hold in the US and prohibiting US entities from doing business with him.

Trade War Escalates

The trade dispute has hit Brazil hard. The 50% tariff, announced in July 2025 and effective from August 1, 2025, covers products worth $14.5 billion in exports by Brazil to the US—about 35.9% of the total. Key exports such as coffee and beef are affected, though some strategic goods like aircraft and petroleum were spared the higher rate. Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin has stressed that negotiation remains the priority, but Lula has warned of retaliatory measures if the tariffs persist. 'The Brazilian government considers the use of political arguments to validate the trade war as unjustifiable,' Lula stated in August 2025.

Strengthening Ties with China and Others

In response to US pressure, Brazil has deepened its engagement with other global powers. In August 2025, Lula participated in a major summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, focusing on joint investments in automobiles and railways. The two BRICS nations have expanded their partnership in clean energy and infrastructure, reducing reliance on the US market. Lula has also reached out to European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, to push for the ratification of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement—a deal that Macron has long opposed but that Lula sees as a counterweight to US dominance.

Bolsonaro's Shadow

The political chasm between Lula and Trump is deeply rooted in the Bolsonaro affair. The former Brazilian president, who led the country from 2019 to 2022, has been convicted of attempting to orchestrate a coup that included plans to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Bolsonaro is currently under house arrest awaiting appeal, though he remains a potent symbol for the Brazilian far right. Trump's vocal support for Bolsonaro has made him a target of Lula's criticism, with the Brazilian president accusing the US leader of interfering in Brazil's internal affairs.

Historical Context

Lula and Trump have a history of mutual antagonism. During Trump's first term (2017-2021), Lula was imprisoned on corruption charges that were later annulled, and Trump openly supported Bolsonaro. After Lula's return to power in 2023, relations soured further. Lula has positioned himself as a champion of multilateralism and climate action, contrasting with Trump's 'America First' agenda. In June 2023, Lula declared that wealthy countries have a 'historical debt' on environmental issues, a direct jab at the US. The peace council proposal is just the latest chapter in this ongoing rivalry.

Global Reactions

World leaders have reacted cautiously to Trump's peace council idea. European Union officials have expressed reservations, with a spokesperson for the European Commission stating that any new international body must be inclusive and respect the UN Charter. Russia and China have voiced strong opposition, seeing it as a US power grab. Lula's criticism aligns Brazil with the majority of nations that support strengthening the existing UN system rather than replacing it.

Looking Ahead

As the US presidential election approaches, Lula's stance may influence other left-leaning Latin American leaders to resist US pressure. Meanwhile, Trump has shown no willingness to soften his approach, warning of additional tariffs if Brazil retaliates. The peace council proposal is likely to be a major topic at the next G20 summit, which Brazil will host in November 2026. Lula has already signaled that he will use the summit to rally support for multilateralism and to push back against what he sees as US hegemony. The coming months will test whether diplomacy can defuse these tensions or whether they escalate into a full-blown confrontation between the two Americas.

Source: l'Opinion News