Brazil and Washington: Days after a public spat with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, US President Donald Trump placed a steep 50% tariff on all Brazilian exports.
The abrupt action comes as tensions between the two presidents have increased, with Trump defending former President Jair Bolsonaro and denouncing Brazil’s treatment of free expression.
To stoke the flames, Lula had referred to Trump as an unwelcome “emperor.”
Trump connected Brazil’s treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly planning a coup to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking power in 2023, to the tariffs in his letter.
The Social Truth letter from US President Donald Trump.
