US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing a 50% tariff on all goods from Brazil effective August 1, claiming the country poses a threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the USA.
Signed on Wednesday, the order hikes the existing tariff on Brazil by 40% and accuses the South American nation of various violations, including alleged serious human rights abuses that have undermined the rule of law.
Brazilian President Bolsonaro tells his supporters to buy a rifle
Trump singled out the persecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial over allegedly plotting a coup following his 2022 election defeat.
Members of the Government of Brazil are also politically persecuting a former President of Brazil, which is contributing to the deliberate breakdown in the rule of law in Brazil, to politically motivated intimidation in that country, and to human rights abuses.
Trump announced his intention to impose a blanket 50% tariff on all Brazilian goods earlier this month in a letter posted on Truth Social.
In the letter, the USA president also demanded an end to what he called a witch hunt against the highly respected former military captain and ex-president Bolsonaro.
At the time, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowed to answer the tariff measure and defend the interests of his country, pointing out that Trump was elected to govern the USA – he was not elected to be the emperor of the world.
When I read the letter, I thought it was fake news, Lula said, describing it as breaking away from any protocol, any liturgy, that should exist between the relations between two heads of state.
Trump has previously threatened an additional 10% tariff on all BRICS nations, accusing the bloc of trying to destroy the dollar as the global standard.
Earlier on Wednesday, he targeted another member of the group, India, announcing that it will face 25% tariffs and additional penalties for continuing to trade with Russia.
Responding to the move, New Delhi said it would take all steps necessary to secure its interests and expressed its commitment to concluding a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement with the USA.
RT. com / ABC Flash Point News 2025.
