NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump has imposed a steep 50 percent tariff on all Brazilian imports, triggering a diplomatic row with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who vowed to retaliate and warned against “tutelage.” The move marks a sharp escalation in tensions, with analysts pointing to ideological motives behind Trump’s decision to target Brazil, one of America’s key trading partners.The timing of the announcement, which comes as former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro faces trial for allegedly plotting a coup, has intensified speculation that Trump is defending a political ally rather than responding to economic factors. Lula responded with strong words on X: “Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage.”
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Trump’s decision is being seen in the context of Bolsonaro’s ongoing legal troubles. In a letter to Lula, Trump called the trial of Bolsonaro “an international disgrace” and claimed it “should not be taking place.” The US president went further, warning of additional trade actions if Brazil retaliated.Eduardo Bolsonaro, the former president’s son, has moved to the United States and is lobbying against Brazil’s judiciary. Lula has accused him of disturbing bilateral relations, while Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered an investigation into whether these efforts constitute obstruction of justice. The trial has become a flashpoint, with Bolsonaro calling Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes a “dictator,” and Trump declaring on Truth Social: “LEAVE BOLSONARO ALONE. They have done nothing but come after him, day after day, night after night.”
Trump targets Lula for backing what he calls a ‘witch hunt’ trial against Bolsonaro
President Trump has escalated the diplomatic spat by linking the 50 percent tariffs directly to the legal proceedings against Jair Bolsonaro, accusing President Lula’s government of orchestrating a political “witch hunt.” In a letter to President Lula, Trump wrote: “This Trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!” Trump has consistently framed Bolsonaro’s prosecution—on charges of plotting a coup following his defeat in 2022—as politically motivated persecution. He called on Brazilian authorities to “Leave Bolsonaro alone,” drawing parallels to his own legal battles: “This happened to me, times 10,” he said, promising to “be closely monitoring” the trial. Brazil’s Supreme Court trial, overseen by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, is examining allegations of a coup attempt by Bolsonaro and his allies. While Bolsonaro maintains his innocence and claims political targeting, Lula has responded firmly. He defended the judiciary’s role and asserted: “No one is above the law,” emphasizing Brazil’s sovereign judicial processes. Analysts suggest Trump’s linkage of economic measures to Bolsonaro’s trial reflects ideological solidarity rather than economic rationale. Brazil runs a trade surplus with the US, yet Trump’s administration is wielding tariffs as a means to pressure Lula’s government over internal justice matters. This overt intervention in Brazil’s judicial affairs has deepened tensions. Lula has vowed to respond under Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law, framing Trump’s move as an aggressive overstep that infringes on national sovereignty and judicial independence.
US tariff move defies economic logic
Unlike Trump’s past trade actions, which usually targeted countries with which the US has a trade deficit, Brazil runs a consistent trade surplus in America’s favour. Official Brazilian data shows the US recorded a surplus of nearly $284 million last year. “Brazil came up on Trump’s radar now because Bolsonaro’s trial is advancing and there are Republican lawmakers who brought the issue to the White House,” said Leonardo Paz of Brazil’s Getulio Vargas Foundation.In his letter, Trump alleged “a very unfair trade relationship,” but Lula dismissed this as factually incorrect. “The claim regarding a US trade deficit… is inaccurate. Statistics from the US government itself show a surplus of $410 billion… over the past 15 years,” Lula posted on X.
Brazilian businesses urge calm
The São Paulo Federation of Industries urged a measured response, calling the tariff hike driven by “non-economic reasons.” Still, Lula signalled readiness to act under Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law. “Any unilateral tariff increases will be addressed,” he said.Trade data shows the US primarily imports crude oil and steel products from Brazil, while Brazil imports engines, machinery, and fuel from the US. The United States is Brazil’s third-largest trade partner, after China and the EU.
Copper and national security
Trump linked the tariff decision to national security, singling out copper as vital to defence infrastructure. “Copper is necessary for Semiconductors, Aircraft, Ships, Ammunition… Missile Defense Systems, and even Hypersonic Weapons,” he said. The tariff on copper imports from Brazil takes effect on August 1.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that tariffs have already raised $100 billion and projected collections would reach $300 billion by December. Trump has imposed new duties on over 20 countries, with rates ranging from 20 to 50 percent, including nations like Japan, South Korea, and South Africa.
Brics tensions escalate
Brazil’s hosting of the recent Brics summit added fuel to the fire. Member nations criticised Trump’s tariff hikes and US actions in Iran, prompting Trump to threaten a further 10 percent tariff on all Brics-aligned nations. “We don’t want an emperor,” Lula responded at the summit, defending Brics’ sovereign stance.A Brazilian official told AFP that Trump’s attack was partly driven by “discomfort caused by the strength of the BRICS,” whose members represent nearly half the world’s population and a large share of global economic output.
Free speech concerns deepen the rift
Donald Trump also accused Brazil’s Supreme Court of issuing “hundreds of SECRET and UNLAWFUL censorship orders to US media platforms.” Last month, the court toughened social media rules, holding platforms accountable for user content. Justice Moraes earlier blocked Musk’s X platform and suspended conservative-friendly Rumble for failing to comply with misinformation rulings.Critics say the court is overstepping and stifling free speech, while Lula defended judicial independence: “Freedom of expression must not be confused with aggression or violent practices.”
Bolsonaro remains central to Trump’s stance
Bolsonaro, despite being disqualified from future elections, thanked Trump for defending him. Trump, in turn, claimed Bolsonaro remains the frontrunner for Brazil’s next election. The US embassy in Brasília also weighed in, saying: “Jair Bolsonaro and his family have been strong partners of the United States. The political persecution… is shameful.”
