Brazil is in a solid position. In the past, if the United States sneezed, we caught pneumonia. Today, if the United States sneezes, we sneeze too. - Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Does anyone really think the US is going to favour Brazil? [...] Americans think of themselves first, second, third, fourth, fifth – and if there’s any time left over they think about Americans. And these Brazilian lackeys go around thinking the Americans will do anything for us.

From an ethical point of view the price difference is grotesque and from a political point of view, it represents a lack of respect, as though a sick Brazilian is inferior.

Every night I ask myself why all countries have to base their trade on the dollar. Why can't we do based on our own currencies? Who was it that decided that the dollar was the currency after the disappearance of the gold standard?