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Sao Paulo. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has strongly criticized the US plan to impose a 20 percent duty on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He said that America cannot act like a pirate. This statement came after US President Donald Trump’s announcement in which he had said that America will now be called the ‘Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz’ and 20 percent duty will be charged from ships passing through this sea route.

Speaking at a public event in Sao Paulo state on Monday, Lula mocked Trump’s plan. Lula said, ‘President Trump has said that he will keep the Strait of Hormuz open, but in return every ship or oil owner will have to pay 20 percent. Earlier it was considered piracy. A big country like America can no longer become a pirate.

President Lula said that the increasing tension in the Gulf region is also affecting the Brazilian economy. According to him, due to increase in oil prices, fuel has become expensive and this has also affected the prices of daily essential items like beans, rice, tomatoes and onions. He said, ‘To provide relief to the people from rising inflation, the Brazilian government has taken temporary steps to control fuel prices.’