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Trump Threatens Brazil With Tariffs of 50 Percent as He Assails Prosecution of Bolsonaro
Trade war: President Trump said he planned to impose tariffs of 50 percent on imports from Brazil as he accused Brazilian authorities of unfairly charging his political ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, with attempting a coup.
It was an extraordinary attempt to use tariffs as a cudgel to influence a criminal trial in a foreign nation. Brazil was the largest of the eight countries Mr. Trump targeted for tariffs on Wednesday in letters that indicate he is continuing his strategy of punishing nations that sell more than they buy from the United States.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07/09/us/trump-news?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
___In a letter to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Mr. Trump wrote that the new tariffs would take effect on Aug. 1. The way that Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a Highly Respected Leader throughout the World during his Term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace.
Mr. Trump wrote that the tariffs were also in response to SECRET and UNLAWFUL Censorship Orders to U.S. Social Media platforms and that he had ordered U.S. officials to open a trade investigation into Brazil for continued attacks on the Digital Trade activities of American Companies.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the Brazilian Supreme Court justice who is overseeing the case against Mr. Bolsonaro, has ordered tech companies to take down hundreds of accounts that he said threatened Brazils democracy. His moves have made him a top target of the right in Brazil and the United States.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07/09/us/trump-news#brazil-trump-bolsonaro-lula-coup-tariff
...so, Trump is now threatening to, ultimately, punish American consumers and businesses to protest Brazil's prosecution of their former president for orchestrating a coup.
It's unavoidable to draw parallels between Bolsonaro's gaslighting and lies which he permeated Brazil's media with to further his political interests and Trump's use of Twitter and Truth Social to promote and perpetuate propaganda and lies, as he did when he was involved in trying to overturn the votes in his presidential election.
Is Trump trying to organize an international coalition of traitors in the Americas?

VMA131Marine
(5,055 posts)U.S. total goods trade with Brazil were an estimated $92.0 billion in 2024. U.S. goods exports to Brazil in 2024 were $49.7 billion, up 11.3 percent ($5.0 billion) from 2023. U.S. goods imports from Brazil in 2024 totaled $42.3 billion, up 8.3 percent ($3.2 billion) from 2023.
bigtree
(91,934 posts)Last edited Wed Jul 9, 2025, 10:52 PM - Edit history (1)
...nothing to do with trade or tech.
moondust
(20,949 posts)not too thrilled by him again showing his disrespect for the rule of law as well as the sovereignty of another country by meddling in their internal affairs.
bigtree
(91,934 posts)President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said after Trump released his letter that Brazil wont take orders from Trump.
The world has changed, we dont want an emperor, da Silva said earlier this week at a summit of leaders from big developing economies.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/trump-s-tariff-assault-on-brazil-thrills-bolsonaro-s-supporters/ar-AA1Imif8
bigtree
(91,934 posts)What about us?
Trump chose 1 Brazilian over 340 Million.
Trumps Tariff Assault on Brazil Thrills Bolsonaros Supporters
MANAUS, BrazilJair Bolsonaro has been betting for months that President Trump would save him from a trial that he sees as a political witch hunt.
Even some of the former presidents own right-wing supporters thought that was far-fetched. Why would a U.S. president risk trade with the regions largest economy just to help Bolsonaro, they asked?
But this week Trump did just that. Trump wrote to Brazils leaders that he would charge a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods starting Aug. 1, citing legal action against Bolsonaro and U.S. tech firms as justification for the levies.
These tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country, Trump wrote to the Brazilians.
Bolsonaros supporters are thrilled.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/trump-s-tariff-assault-on-brazil-thrills-bolsonaro-s-supporters/ar-AA1Imif8
malaise
(286,828 posts)Effin frightening. Support fascists or pay
Trump supports a right wing coup plotter, so now you'll have to pay more for beef and coffee.
Link to tweet