Brazilian President Lula swipes at Trump as US imposes auto tariffs

TOKYO (AP) — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva swiped Thursday at U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to raise U.S. tariffs on a wide range of products, saying Trump should consider the potential harm to the American and global economies.

Lula made the comments while wrapping up a 4-day visit to Japan, where Trump's decision Wednesday to order 25% tariffs on all car imports came as a severe blow given the country's status as a major auto exporter and American ally. The U.S. is the biggest destination for Japanese car exports.

“I am very concerned about the behavior of the American government,” Lula said. “I am concerned because free trade is being harmed and I am concerned because multilateralism is weakened,” Lula said through an interpreter.

Lula said he foresees no positive outcome from Trump's policy of raising tariffs given that they will raise prices for American consumers, adding to inflation and leading to higher interest rates that might stifle economic growth.

He added that Trump is president only of the United States, not the world, and that “this protectionism does not help any country in the world.”

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated he wants Japan to be exempt from such tariffs.

“We must consider appropriate responses, and naturally we will consider all options” including possibly taking countermeasures, Ishiba told a parliamentary session Thursday. “The bottom line is, we must consider what will best serve Japan's national interest.”

He and Lula on Wednesday agreed to step up partnerships between Japan and Brazil in the areas of the economy, trade and security.

As Trump’s tariff threats have triggered tensions and vows of retaliation from Canada, Mexico, China and Europe, Japan has been working to firm up ties with other countries.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Trump's decision on auto tariffs was “extremely regrettable.” Japan strongly has urged it be exempt.

Brazil is the top steel exporter to the United States. Lula said it was considering filing complaints to the World Trade Organization and might impose reciprocal tariffs.

But Brazil is not near the top of Trump's list for trade retaliation since the U.S., its second-largest trading partner, exports more than it imports from there.

The U.S. trade surplus with Brazil was $7.4 billion in 2024, nearly a 32% increase over a year earlier. Brazil's top exports to the U.S. were petroleum and iron and steel. Its biggest imports from the U.S. were crude and refined oil, gas turbines, aircraft, chemical and machinery.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, left, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pose for a photo at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, center right, shakes hands with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, center left, during their meeting at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool Photo via AP)

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, second left, speaks with Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, unseen, during their meeting at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool Photo via AP)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shake hands during the Cooperation Document Exchange Ceremony at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pose for the cameras during the Cooperation Document Exchange Ceremony at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shake hands after ending a joint press conference at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pose for the cameras after ending a joint press conference at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A long-dormant 1985 state law in Nevada — requiring parents or guardians to be notified before a minor undergoes an abortion — can be enforced, a federal judge ruled Monday.

U.S. District Court Judge Anne Traum in Nevada said in a written decision that the 40-year-old law can take effect on April 30, but the judge also left open the possibility for abortion rights advocates to seek a court order blocking its reinstatement while they challenge the law's constitutionality.

The requirement has never before been enforced in Nevada because of a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that found it was unconstitutional based on Roe v. Wade. But after the Supreme Court reversed the landmark decision in 2022, stripping away constitutional protections for abortion, a group of district attorneys mostly in rural Nevada sued to restore the 1985 law.

Planned Parenthood argued that the 1985 law, despite the reversal of Roe, remains “unconstitutionally vague” and that it violates minors’ rights to due process and equal protection.

But Traum, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, said in her decision that “whether the statute is unconstitutional for another reason has not been fully litigated nor is that question before the Court in this motion.”

Emailed messages seeking comment Tuesday were left with attorneys for Planned Parenthood.

James Bopp Jr., a lawyer representing some of the district attorneys, told The Associated Press that the law would protect “vulnerable, immature girls from making a decision that has life-altering consequences for themselves.”

Abortions in Nevada are legal until 24 weeks, with exceptions to save a mother’s life or to protect her health. In November, a ballot question to enshrine Nevada’s abortion rights in the state constitution received its first nod of approval from voters, who must also approve the measure in 2026 in order to amend the constitution.

Parental involvement in a minor’s decision to have an abortion is required in 36 states, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. Some states require only parental notification, as is the case with Nevada's law, while other states also require consent.

Nevada's law also allows a minor to get a court order authorizing an abortion without first notifying parents or guardians.

FILE - People rally in support of abortion rights, May 21, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)