Washington – President Donald Trump announced 50% tariffs on Brazilian products due, partly, to the trial against former president Jair Bolsonaro.
The tension between Brazil and the United States climbed on Wednesday at a diplomatic and commercial level.
Brazil summoned the United States business representative for Trump’s support to Bolsonaro, tried for an alleged coup attempt to “stay” in power after his defeat in the elections by little margin before the leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. An accusation that promotes the Lula regime.
Trump threatened to send a letter to Brazil, as he does with other commercial partners, with the percentage of tariffs that awaits him from August 1.
“The way Brazil has treated former president Bolsonaro (…) It is an international shame. This trial should not be happening, “Trump wrote in the letter addressed to Lula.
Witch hunt
“It’s a witch hunt that must end immediately,” he added.
“Due in part to the insidious attacks of Brazil to the free elections and the fundamental rights of the freedom of expression of Americans (…) We will charge Brazil a 50% tariff About each and every one of the Brazilian products sent to the United States, “he adds in the letter published on its social truth platform.
After the announcement, the Brazilian real collapsed more than 2% against the dollar.
If the Latin American country retaliates, the percentage will rise.
Warning
“The amount you choose will be added to 50% we charge”warned the Republican President, who will also order his commercial representative, Jamieson Greer, to open “an investigation” to Brazil.
He does, he says, for “the continuous attacks of Brazil to digital trade activities of US companies, as well as other unfair commercial practices.”
It refers to a decision of the Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes, who is part of the group of magistrates of the Supreme Court of Brazil who decided to prosecute Bolsonaro.
De Moraes recently ordered to suspend Rumble, a platform for sharing popular videos between conservative groups, for refusing to block a user -resident account in the United States wanted by disinformation.
Lula responds to Trump’s tariffs
For his part, Lula warned that Brazil can act in “reciprocity” if its American couple fulfills its threat of imposing 50% tariffs on Brazilian products.
“Any unilateral tariff elevation measure will be answered to the light of the Brazilian Law on Reciprocity Economic, “said the socialist president in the social network X.
The leftist Lula said that the process in the Supreme Court against Bolsonaro, “is only the competence of Brazilian justice and therefore is not subject to any kind of interference or threat.”
Bolsonaro could face up to 40 years in jail if they were found guilty of leading a “criminal organization” to prevent the assumption of Lula after the 2022 elections.
Lula also alluded to Trump’s criticisms of Brazilian justice actions on speech on social media platforms.
“In Brazil Freedom of expression is not confused with aggression or violent practices. To operate in our country all national and foreign companies are subject to Brazilian legislation, “he said.
In April, the Brazilian Congress unanimously approved the economic reciprocity law, giving tools to the Executive to respond to commercial barriers, after Trump announced 10% tariffs to imports from several countries, including Brazilians.
The law authorizes the Executive to decide on suspending commercial concessions, investments and obligations related to intellectual property rights.
