Trump Slaps 50% Tariff on Brazil Over Bolsonaro Trial, Sparks Retaliation Warning

In a significant escalation of international trade tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans just hours ago to impose a sweeping 50% tariff on goods imported from Brazil. The move, detailed in a recent social media communication, targets alleged “attacks” on U.S. tech companies and what Trump terms a “witch hunt” against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently facing prosecution for his alleged role in a plot to overturn the 2022 election results.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva immediately responded via social media, vowing reciprocal tariffs and issuing a stern warning against any foreign interference in Brazil’s judicial processes. This latest dispute follows earlier contentious exchanges this week between Trump and Lula regarding Bolsonaro’s trial, where Lula adamantly declared Brazil’s non-acceptance of external “interference,” reiterating that “no one is above the law.”

The 50% tariff represents a substantial increase from a previously proposed 10% rate on Brazilian goods. This aggressive trade measure is part of a broader series of tariff announcements Trump has made this week to various global trade partners, with many new duties slated to commence on August 1. Despite the U.S. enjoying a trade surplus with Brazil last year, Trump’s letter described the 50% rate as “necessary… to rectify the grave injustices of the current regime,” also indicating the launch of a 301 investigation into Brazil’s digital trade practices.

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