Trump Accuses Brazil – The Allegation has a Political Showdown Ahead

Trump’s Tariff on Brazil Sparks Brazil‑US Dispute

In a letter to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, US President Donald Trump announced a 50 % tariff on Brazilian imports, alleging a “witch hunt” against his right‑wing ally, former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro’s Coup Trial Fuels Trump’s Tariff War

• Trump insists Bolsonaro’s 2024 trial for attempting a coup “should not be taking place.”
• Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo, lobbies in Washington, pressuring Brazil’s judicial system.
• Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a staunch foe of Bolsonaro, ordered an investigation into whether the US‑based campaign obstructs justice.

Ideology, Not Economics, Drives Trump’s Tariff

Trump complains of an “unfair trade relationship” with Brazil, but official trade data show a longstanding US surplus. Last year, the surplus was almost $284 million.

Brazil’s third‑largest trading partner after China and the EU, the US imports mainly crude oil and semi‑finished iron and steel products, while Brazil imports non‑electric engines, machines, and fuel.

Brazil Calls for Calm Amid “Non‑Economic” Reasons

Brazilian industrialists urged a calm response to Trump’s “non‑economic” tariff reasons. Lula said Brazil would reciprocate, warning that further escalation would follow if it did.

Free‑Speech Tussle Exacerbates Conflict

Trump cites Brazilian Supreme Court “SECRET and UNLAWFUL censorship orders” to US media. President Bolsonaro and former Supreme Court Justice de Moraes have clashed over social media regulations, targeting platforms such as X and Rumble for allegedly failing to curb disinformation.

BRICS Summit Stokes Rivalry

At Brazil’s BRICS summit, Trump’s “indiscriminate” tariff hikes were criticized, prompting him to threaten further trade penalties. Lula defended Brazil’s sovereignty, pushing back against perceived anti‑Western narratives.

Underlying Motivations

According to political scientist Leonardo Paz, Trump’s attack on Brazil partly stems from discomfort with the growing strength of BRICS, whose members account for roughly half the world’s population and 40 % of global economic output.

While Brazil seeks to maintain economic ties, the dispute highlights a broader ideological clash between the United States and Brazil’s current administration.