Lula Condemns US Plan for Hormuz Fees as 'Pirate State' Move

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Monday sharply criticized a United States proposal to impose transit fees on vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, denouncing the plan as an act that would effectively transform Washington into a "pirate state."

The remarks mark one of the most severe diplomatic rebukes from Brasília toward its North American counterpart in recent years. President Lula addressed the issue during a press conference at Planalto Palace, stating that any attempt by a sovereign nation to levy taxes on international shipping lanes violates fundamental principles of maritime law and freedom of navigation.

"The United States cannot act as a toll collector for global trade," Lula said. "If they proceed with this plan, they are not acting as a guarantor of security but as a pirate state preying on commerce." The President emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway critical to the energy supply chains of nations across Asia, Europe, and South America.

The United States has proposed the fees as part of a broader strategy to fund enhanced naval patrols in the Persian Gulf region. American officials argue that rising tensions with regional actors have necessitated increased security expenditures, which they contend should be shared by commercial entities benefiting from safe passage through the chokepoint. The plan aims to generate revenue for mine-sweeping operations and anti-piracy measures.

However, critics within Brazil's foreign policy establishment warn that such a move could destabilize global trade flows and set a dangerous precedent for other nations seeking to monetize strategic waterways. Lula warned that unilateral actions by major powers risk fragmenting the rules-based international order.

"We cannot allow one country to hold the world economy hostage," Lula added, calling on the United Nations Security Council to intervene before any fees are implemented. He urged a multilateral approach to Gulf security rather than what he described as an extortionate scheme.

The White House has not yet issued a formal response to Lula's specific "pirate state" characterization, though senior administration officials have defended the feasibility of user-fees in high-risk zones during previous internal briefings. The proposal remains under review by U.S. State Department legal teams and allies in Europe and Asia.

As diplomatic friction mounts, questions remain regarding whether other major economies will align with Brazil's stance or support Washington's security funding initiative. Analysts note that the reaction from oil-dependent nations in the Middle East could determine the viability of the American plan. The situation is expected to be a central topic at upcoming G20 discussions later this month.