President Trump Said on Wednesday He will impose a 50% tariff on goods from Brazil next month, one of the most stable rates for any American trading partner, citing criminal prosecution of former Brazilian President Zaier Bolsono, which Mr. Trump called “International insult”.
Mr. Trump has Send open letters This week, about 20 countries – from Japan to Iraq – after delaying their broad tariffs against dozens of countries in April, were telling them to expect high tariffs from 1 August. So far, Brazil has 50% tariff on imports The highest rate against any country is threatenedBrazil is the only country to be hit with a tariff this week after Mr. Trump was spared by the April “Liberation Day” tariff.
Unlike many other countries, which have been threatened with tariff hike, the US runs a trade surplus with Brazil, meaning that Brazil buys more American goods than the US purchased from Brazil. Last year, the US exported goods worth about $ 49 billion to Brazil, and Brazil gave the US just $ 42 billion. Census bureau data,
Mr. Trump’s letter confronted the South American country on the prosecution of Bolsoro, who led the country before the current Brazilian President Luiz Inecio Lula Dr. Silva. The American leader called the prosecution “the victim of the witch which should end immediately.”
Bolsoro was Indicated last year In the 2022 elections, Lula allegedly attempted a coup to stay in the office after defeating him. Dozens of people were reportedly involved in the scheme and A conspiracy involves To poison Lula and shoot the Supreme Court’s Supreme Court justice. Bolsono’s defense team has denied the allegations. Bolsoro Is also forbidden After doubting the country’s electronic voting machines, running to the office by 2030.
Mr. Trump has long expressed support for a right -wing populist Bolsoro Sometimes known As “Trump of the Tropics”. He also called it “terrible talk” and “attack on a political opponent” in Brazil in the prosecution on Monday.
“Leave Bolsono alone!” Mr. Trump has written True social On Monday.
Mr. Trump also criticized Brazil in his tariff letter, which he called “insidious attacks” on the “free speech rights of Americans”, on a clear context ” Brazilian Supreme Court investigation Elon Musk owned X and some Other social media platformsAnd he alleged that Brazil had “inappropriate trade relations” with the US, cited “tariffs, and non-tariffs, policies and business obstacles.”
In the letter, Mr. Trump ordered American Trade Representative Jaimison Greer to open an inquiry in Brazil on “Digital Business Activities of American companies” and “other unfair business practices”.
A Report Earlier this year, the US trade representative said that Brazil paid an average tariff of 11.2% on imports as 2023. The report stated that Brazil “impose relatively high tariffs on imports in a wide range of regions,” and “American exporters face significant uncertainty in the Brazilian market as the government often modify the Tariff rates.” It also lists some other trade restrictions, such as tariffs and import licensing rules on ethanol.
Along with other countries, who have faced tariff hazards, Mr. Trump said that his administration would “consider an adjustment” if Brazil had to change its trade practices.
Lula said Post on X Brazil will invite the country to react to an increase in any tariff Economic mutuality lawWhich allows Brazil to impose import restrictions and other counselors in response to unilateral tariffs.
Separately, Mr. Trump Threatened An additional 10% of tariffs on any country were aligned with “anti -American policies of BRICS”, which mentioned a group of developing countries and emerging markets including Brazil.
Tariffs are a main part of Mr. Trump’s economic strategy. This move has feared rising consumer prices and an economic recession, but Mr. Trump argues that tariffs are necessary to revive and punish American manufacturing that he sees as unfair trade practices.
In early April, the President imposed tariffs standing on dozens of countries, stunning in markets, most of them for three months, while their administration demanded to negotiate business deals. With three months of expansion this week, the administration started sending letters to various countries To inform them High tariff starting in August.
