SAO PAULO, June 2 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday highlighted ‌his country's ties with China after the U.S. ‌proposed a new punitive tariff of 25% on many imports ​from Latin America's largest economy.

• Lula hailed China's decision earlier in the day to recognize Brazil as free of foot-and-mouth disease, calling it a counterpoint to the U.S. ‌move.

• "If you don't ⁠want to buy from me, I will sell to someone else," Lula said ⁠during an event in Goias state.

• The leftist leader said he learned of the tariff proposal during trade ​talks, adding ​that U.S. and Brazilian ​trade negotiators had met ‌three times recently but failed to reach a deal.

• Lula blamed Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro for the U.S. proposal, accusing the right-wing presidential hopeful of lobbying Washington to impose tariffs.

• Brazil's president also blasted ‌U.S. Secretary of State Marco ​Rubio, saying he is anti-Latin ​America and does ​not like Brazil.

• Bolsonaro said earlier on ‌Tuesday he had urged Trump ​not to ​impose tariffs on Brazilian companies.

• The U.S. embassy in Brazil did not immediately respond to a ​request for comment.

(Reporting ‌by Gabriel Araujo and Eduardo Simoes; Additional ​reporting by Oliver Griffin; Writing by Isabel Teles; ​Editing by Paul Simao)