Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized US President Donald Trump's proposal to charge a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying such a move would amount to "piracy."

Speaking at a public event in Sao Paulo state on July 13, Lula said the United States, as a major country that had long fought piracy, should not now become a "pirate" itself. His remarks came after Trump said the US would seek reimbursement for keeping the strategic waterway open.