Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has strongly criticized a reported U.S. proposal to impose a 20% fee on commercial vessels transiting the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, warning that such a policy would amount to “piracy” if implemented.
Speaking at a public event in São Paulo, Lula said a country that has long advocated freedom of navigation should not adopt measures that resemble the actions of a “pirate state.”
His comments followed reports that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering reimposing a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports while requiring commercial cargo vessels using the Strait of Hormuz to pay a 20% charge to help cover the costs of maintaining security along the waterway.
Lula argued that demanding payments from ships using an international maritime route would be unacceptable under international norms. He said such practices had historically been regarded as piracy and should not be associated with a major global power.
The Brazilian president also warned that prolonged instability in the Middle East and disruptions to global energy supplies could drive up prices of fuel and essential goods, including rice, beans, tomatoes and onions, increasing inflationary pressure on Brazil’s domestic market.
Lula said his government has already introduced measures aimed at reducing the impact of higher global oil prices on consumers, including tax relief on fuel, to help ease the financial burden on households.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Tensions in the region have intensified following renewed friction involving Iran, the United States and Israel, raising concerns over the security of international maritime trade.
*The reported U.S. proposal has not been formally implemented, and details of any potential policy remain subject to official confirmation.*
