US Imposes 50% Tariff on Brazil: Cites Bolsonaro Prosecution as Emergency

US Imposes 50% Tariff on Brazil

The United States has escalated trade tensions with Brazil by imposing a 50% tariff on certain goods. President Trump signed an executive order enforcing the new levy, citing concerns over Brazil’s economic policies and the legal prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Key Points:

• The US administration claims these actions constitute an economic emergency.
• The tariff, which supplements an existing 10% levy, exempts key sectors such as civil aircraft, aluminum, and fertilizers.
• The decision follows warnings issued by Trump earlier this month to Brazilian President Lula da Silva.

The White House statement accuses the Brazilian government of interfering with the US economy, violating free expression and human rights, and persecuting Bolsonaro. The statement alleges coercion of social media companies, reportedly X and Rumble, and accuses the Brazilian judiciary of attempting to suppress dissent. These events mirror Trump's own legal challenges related to the 2020 election results. In response, President Lula has vowed to defend Brazil’s sovereignty. The US Treasury Department also sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing Bolsonaro's trial, accusing him of suppressing free speech. This follows prior US visa restrictions on Brazilian judicial officials, including de Moraes.