Brazil's Lula calls Trump's Hormuz shipping fee plan 'piracy'

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday criticised US President Donald Trump's proposal to impose fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, saying such a move would amount to "piracy."

Trump earlier said he would reinstate a blockade of Iran's ports on the Strait of Hormuz and impose a 20% levy on all cargo shipped through the waterway, saying the revenue would help pay for keeping the strategic shipping route open.

Iran began restricting traffic through the strait after the United States and Israel launched attacks in late February, prompting Washington to halt shipping to and from Iranian ports.

The restrictions were eased after the two sides reached an interim agreement in June aimed at ending the conflict, but Trump has said he would restore the measures following renewed fighting.

Speaking at a public event in Sao Paulo state, Lula said: "President Trump tweeted that he will unblock the Strait of Hormuz. But for every ship unblocked, every ship removed from the strait, the oil owner must pay him 20%.

"This used to be considered piracy," Lula said.

"A major nation like the United States, which I believe has fought against piracy for a long time, cannot now become a pirate," he added.

Lula also said the conflict had pushed up the prices of basic food items in Brazil, including beans, rice, tomatoes and onions, as well as fuel.

Brazil's 80-year-old leftist leader is seeking a fourth term in presidential elections scheduled for October.

His government has introduced temporary measures to limit fuel price increases after the Iran conflict drove up global oil prices.

Lula said revenue from a 12% tax on crude oil exports introduced in March was being used to help offset the impact of higher prices.