President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva insisted Brazil can survive without trade with the US and will look to other partners to replace it, a sharp response to Donald Trump after the American leader threatened 50% tariffs against the nation.

Brazil’s President forcefully rebuked Trump after the U.S. leader called the prosecution of Lula’s predecessor, Bolsonaro, a “witch hunt” and hiked tariffs on the Latin American nation.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Wednesday that the 50% tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump would trigger the country's economic reciprocity law. That allows trade, investment and intellectual property agreements to be suspended for countries that harm the South American nation's competitiveness.

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday his country aims to triple trade flows with India from $12 billion last year "in the short term," without giving a more specific time frame.