US carries out 50% tariff threat against Brazil to get Bolsonaro off the hook

Ahead of schedule

The US has just skewered Brazil with the 50% tariffs it threatened if Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva didn't suspend the trial of former far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, but has done so two days ahead of schedule on July 30 as opposed to August 1.

Sanctions on a Supreme Court justice

The US has also sanctioned the Supreme Court justice in charge of the criminal case against Bolsonaro, who stands accused of staging a coup to overthrow the current government of Brazil.

Brazilian judges lose US visas

The moves come shortly after the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stripped eight Supreme Court Brazilian judges of their US visas earlier in July in a bid to get the Trump-supporting Bolsonaro off the hook.

The Trump of the Tropics

The far-right Bolsonaro, alternatively known as the Trump of the Tropics, ruled Brazil from 2019 until 2022 when he lost the election to socialist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Brazil's January 6

Bolsonaro is now facing prosecution for his role in trying to overturn the election result, despite being in the US when parliament was stormed by thousands of his supporters on January 8, 2023, in what looked like a replica of January 6 in Washington.

A "witch hunt"

The trial has been branded a “witch hunt” by Trump, but Da Silva has stoutly pointed out that “no one is above the law.”

Tech troubles

Trump has also weighed in on Brazil’s approach to US tech companies and social media platforms, such as X, which he claims are being censored.

Truth Social censored

Trump Media, which operates the US President’s Truth Social platform, is among the US tech companies currently fighting court rulings to have them suspended.

Trump calls for an investigation

Trump said he would be getting the US Trade Representative to launch a so-called 301 investigation into Brazil's digital trade practices, according to the BBC.

An order from the White House

Referring to Bolsonaro, Trump posted on his platform, “This trial should not be taking place. It is a witch hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!”

50% tariffs

Despite having a trade surplus with Brazil, Trump called the 50% tariffs, hiked from 10%, "necessary... to rectify the grave injustices of the current regime".

"An international disgrace"

Trump insisted that he “respected him [Bolsonaro] greatly” and that the trial amounted to “an international disgrace.”

Been there, done that

Trump also likened the trial of Bolsonaro to his own brushes with the law: "This is nothing more, or less, than an attack on a Political Opponent - Something I know much about!"

BRICS labeled "anti-American"

Relations between the two countries have been further exacerbated by the fact that Brazil hosted the BRICS summit on July 6-7, a collaboration of developing countries that Trump has accused of being “anti-American.”

Lula Da Silva stands his ground

Perhaps in a stronger position than other states due to its influence in South America, Brazilian President Lula Da Silva is refusing to be cowed by Trump’s threats.

Warning Trump to butt out

In response to Trump’s tirade, Lula Da Silva has said that Brazil would reciprocate on tariffs and that the country would not put up with outside interference in its judicial system.

Brazil will not be bullied

“Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage,” Lula was reported as saying by the Guardian.