US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would impose 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, citing a “witch hunt” trial against the country’s former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro is on trial in Brazil, accused of trying to overturn his 2022 election loss. He faces charges including involvement in an armed criminal organisation and attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.
Trump has described Bolsonaro as a friend and previously hosted him at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida when they were both in power in 2020.
“This Trial should not be taking place,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY.”
Trump addressed his tariff letter to incumbent Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who took power from Bolsonaro in 2022.
Lula responded that the 50% tariffs would trigger Brazil’s economic reciprocity law. That allows trade, investment and intellectual property agreements to be suspended for country’s which harm Brazil’s competitiveness.
“Brazil is a sovereign country with independent institutions that will not accept being taken for granted by anyone,” Lula said.
Lula also added that the US had a trade surplus of over $410 billion (€349 billion) with Brazil over the last 15 years.
Bolsonaro testified before Brazil’s Supreme Court in June over the alleged plot to remain in power despite his loss in the 2022 elections. Judges will hear from 26 other defendants over the coming months, and analysts say a judgement could come as early as September.
Bolsonaro has already been banned from running for office until 2030. The former President did not comment about Trump’s tariff announcement but has described himself as politically persecuted.
