Trump Imposes 50% Tariffs on Brazil, Citing Bolsonaro’s ‘Witch Hunt’ Trial

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a move signaling a highly personalized approach to trade policy, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a steep 50% import tax on Brazilian goods, directly linking the tariffs to what he called a ‘Witch Hunt’ trial against Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro. The decision, posted on Truth Social, bypasses traditional economic justifications, instead emphasizing Trump’s solidarity with Bolsonaro, whom he considers a friend.

The tariffs, set to take effect on August 1, mark a significant escalation from the 10% rate previously announced on April 2. Trump’s letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva explicitly criticized the ongoing trial against Bolsonaro, who is accused of attempting to overturn his 2022 election loss. Bolsonaro testified before Brazil’s Supreme Court in June 2025, with a decision anticipated as early as September.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva swiftly condemned Trump’s action, asserting Brazil’s sovereignty and threatening economic reciprocity. Lula stated that the country would not accept being ‘taken for granted’ and emphasized the independence of Brazil’s judicial institutions. He also highlighted the U.S.’s substantial trade surplus with Brazil over the past 15 years, questioning the economic rationale behind the tariffs.

This decision on Brazil is part of a broader tariff offensive by Trump, who also announced new import taxes on seven other nations—the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Libya, Iraq, and Sri Lanka—with rates ranging from 20% to 30%, also effective August 1. While Trump claims these measures are based on ‘common sense’ and trade imbalances, the Brazil case underscores the role of personal and political grievances in his trade strategy.

The tariffs are expected to introduce new inflationary pressures and potentially detract from economic growth, challenging the U.S. economy’s stability. Brazilian lawmakers allied with Lula have also pointed fingers at Bolsonaro and his sons for potentially inciting Trump’s actions, accusing them of harming Brazil’s economy.

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