Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged on Thursday to defend democracy in the country and around the world, in order to prevent the emergence of "authoritarian states worse than that of (Adolf) Hitler".

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is bracing for another two years of struggle with the nation’s Congress, as lawmakers convene on Saturday to potentially elect leaders to both the House and Senate who have promised to continue exerting tight control of an overstretched federal budget.

The Brazilian leader says he is looking for a relationship based on mutual respect after Trump threatens tariffs.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva faces a challenging political landscape as Congress elects leaders promising tight budget control. With declining approval and fiscal pressures, Lula aims to fulfill electoral promises amidst a strong legislature.

S ince leaving hospital in December, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula (pictured), has cut a smart figure. Brazil’s president has taken to wearing a Panama hat to hide deep scars from two emergency brain surgeries.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Brazil is prepared to respond if Donald Trump places new tariffs on the country’s products, although he hopes to improve trade relations with the US instead.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Thursday that if US counterpart Donald Trump hiked tariffs on Brazilian products, he would reciprocate -- but that he would prefer improved relations over a trade war.

Brazil's Foreign Ministry said in a statement it was seeking answers from Washington regarding the "degrading treatment" of nationals.

Petrobras (NYSE:PBR) +1.4% in Thursday's trading as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva voiced support for government non-interference in monetary policy and the state-run oil company's pricing strategy,

Brazil's central bank on Wednesday hiked its key interest rate to 13.25 percent in more bad news for leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government, which is struggling to curb high inflation.

RIO DE JANEIRO/BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian miner Vale's CEO held his first official meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday, the company said, where he highlighted that there was "enormous convergence" between its projects and the country's development agenda.