Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday rejected the US president's proposal. Donald Trump aimed at taking control of the Gaza Strip. He called this expansionist initiative and Trump's threats to impose tariffs on trading partners mere "bluster."
In an interview with local radio stations, Lula responded to Trump's comments by saying: "No country, no matter how powerful, can be in permanent conflict with the rest of the world."
On Tuesday, Trump suggested the United States take control of Gaza to turn it into a “Middle East Riviera” after displacing Palestinians from the territory. The statement drew sharp criticism from the international community.
Lula denounced the idea, saying: "It makes no sense... Where would the Palestinians live? It's an incomprehensible proposition." He reaffirmed his support for the two-state solution and condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza, which he called "genocide."
"It is the Palestinians who must manage Gaza," he insisted.
Trump's Gaza proposal is part of a series of expansionist projects. He has also floated the possibility of taking over the Panama Canal, buying Greenland from Denmark and has repeatedly suggested annexing Canada to make it the 51st state of the United States.
At the same time, Trump has threatened Canada and Mexico with economic sanctions, imposed tariffs on China and put pressure on other trading partners, including the European Union and the BRICS group of large emerging economies.
Lula stressed the importance of international cooperation: "The United States also needs the rest of the world. It must maintain harmonious relations with Brazil, Mexico and China. You cannot govern only by threats and intimidation."
