Brazil criticises rich countries

Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is calling for the world\'s wealthiest countries to solve their financial problems before they cause severe difficulties for emerging economies.



President Lula said since rich countries like the United States had spent years extolling the virtues of globalization and free trade, they should not now resort to protectionist measures.



His comments come a day after US President Barack Obama expressed concern over provisions in the US economic stimulus package, such as the Buy American clause, which he said would send the wrong message to the world.