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".

"It is very simple: if he taxes Brazilian products, there will be reciprocity," Lula told a press conference in Brasilia. The United States runs a trade surplus with Brazil, which according to Brazil's government hit $253 million last year.

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.