In a fiery escalation of tensions between Brasília and Washington, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, calling it an attack on national sovereignty and vowing to respond in kind.
The surprise announcement from Trump, delivered on his platform Truth Social, declared that “any and all” imports from Brazil—particularly copper—would be subject to the steep duty starting August 1. The measure, framed as part of a national security initiative to bolster America’s industrial base, appears closely linked to Trump’s vocal support for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently facing trial over his alleged role in efforts to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election results.
Lula hit back swiftly on X (formerly Twitter), declaring, “Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage.” He cited Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law as the basis for a potential counter-response, warning that unilateral trade actions would not go unanswered.
The diplomatic standoff deepened after Brazil summoned the U.S. ambassador in protest of a recent statement by the American embassy that described Bolsonaro as a victim of “political persecution.” The move was seen in Brazil as direct interference in the country’s judicial processes.
“The prosecution of those who orchestrated the attempted coup is the exclusive domain of the Brazilian judiciary,” Lula emphasized, rejecting any foreign influence or intimidation that might undermine the independence of national institutions.
Trump’s post defending Bolsonaro—who is barred from running for office and currently stands accused of plotting to remain in power after his electoral defeat—further inflamed the situation. “LEAVE BOLSONARO ALONE,” Trump wrote. “They have done nothing but come after him, day after day.”
In response, Lula denounced the comments as “unacceptable interference” and stated firmly: “No one is above the law.”
The 50% tariff, which targets copper imports, is being justified by Trump as a critical measure for national defense, citing the material’s widespread use in military technologies such as semiconductors, radar systems, and missile defense. He accused previous U.S. administrations of weakening the country’s industrial backbone and labelled the Biden administration’s trade policy “stupid” and “thoughtless.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the tariff policy, noting that $100 billion had already been collected through trade duties and setting an ambitious target of $300 billion by year-end.
In a letter to Lula, Trump warned of further economic consequences should Brazil retaliate, describing the Bolsonaro trial as an “international disgrace.” He also announced a formal review of Brazil’s trade practices—a move that could threaten broader commercial ties. Brazil is currently the second-largest steel exporter to the U.S., behind Canada.
Lula dismissed Trump’s claim of a U.S. trade deficit with Brazil as “inaccurate,” citing official data that shows the U.S. enjoyed a $410 billion surplus in goods and services trade with Brazil over the past 15 years. He also underscored that all companies operating in Brazil—domestic or foreign—must comply with national laws.
The row reverberated through the BRICS summit hosted by Brazil this week, where member nations criticized Trump’s tariffs and broader U.S. foreign policy moves. In response, Trump threatened an additional 10% tariff on all BRICS-aligned countries, accusing them of launching “insidious attacks on Free Elections.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy in Brasília doubled down on its defense of Bolsonaro, calling the legal proceedings against him “shameful” and damaging to Brazil’s democratic image.
Though barred from office, Bolsonaro remains a polarizing figure in Brazilian politics and thanked Trump for standing up for “peace, justice, and liberty.” Trump, for his part, claimed Bolsonaro is still the frontrunner for the next election—a claim at odds with Bolsonaro’s current legal status.
With legal proceedings unfolding simultaneously against both Bolsonaro and Trump, the rhetoric between the two nations is intensifying. Lula concluded his remarks with a broader message of resistance: “Sovereignty, respect, and the unwavering defense of the Brazilian people’s interests guide our foreign relations.”
The international community now watches closely as the diplomatic row between two of the largest economies in the Americas continues to escalate.
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