Trump Slaps 50% Tariff on Brazilian Imports

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on all Brazilian imports starting August 1, 2025, citing both economic disputes and political motivations related to Brazil's ongoing trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro. In a letter to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Trump called Bolsonaro a 'highly respected leader' and labeled the prosecution as an 'international disgrace' and 'witch hunt,' linking the tariffs to alleged attacks on free elections and censorship of US social media companies. Lula responded by calling Trump an 'unwanted emperor,' while Brazil has threatened to retaliate under its economic reciprocity law. The move is expected to strain US-Brazil relations and could significantly impact Brazil's economy, as the US is its second-largest trading partner. Brazilian officials, including Lula and Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, have rejected Trump's accusations and defended the country's judicial independence. The episode underscores the use of tariffs as a tool for both trade policy and political leverage.