Trump announces 50% tariff against Brazil and cites Bolsonaro's lawsuit in the Supreme Court

US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday 9 a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian products.

The tariff, a new chapter in the tycoon's trade war , is due to take effect on August 1.

In a letter sent to President Lula (PT), Trump once again called the Supreme Court proceedings against Jair Bolsonaro (PL) for the attempted coup d'état in 2022 a “witch hunt.”

In the document, Trump calls Bolsonaro's treatment an "international disgrace" and says the trial "should not happen."

The letter from the US president says:

Due in part to Brazil's insidious attacks on Free Elections and the fundamental rights of Americans to Free Speech (as recently illustrated by the Brazilian Supreme Court, which issued hundreds of SECRET and ILLEGAL Censorship Orders to U.S. Social Media platforms, threatening them with Millions of Dollars in Fines and Expulsion from the Brazilian Social Media market), starting August 1, 2025, we will levy a 50% Tariff on any and all Brazilian goods shipped to the United States from Brazil, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs. Goods redirected to avoid this 50% Tariff will be subject to this higher Tariff.

Brazil is currently subject to a 10% tariff on its products imported by the United States, imposed by Trump on April 2.

"Please understand that the 50% figure is far less than what is necessary to have the level playing field we should have with your country," Trump said in the letter to Lula. "This is necessary to rectify the grave injustices of the current regime."

According to him, there will be no tariffs if Brazil or Brazilian companies decide to manufacture their products in the United States. "Indeed, we will do everything possible to obtain approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely—in other words, within a matter of weeks."

Diplomatic developments

Earlier on Wednesday, the Brazilian government summoned the United States Trade Representative to protest its support for Bolsonaro.

US diplomat Gabriel Escobar was called to explain an official note in which the embassy reiterated its endorsement of the former captain.

On Monday, Trump took to social media to claim that Bolsonaro is the target of a "witch hunt" in the process surrounding the attempted coup.

Lula quickly responded that Brazil is “a sovereign country” and does not accept “interference or tutelage from anyone.”

“Make your own opinion about your life, not ours,” the PT member added on Monday the 7th, at a press conference during the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Read Trump's letter to Lula in full:

"I knew and dealt with former President Jair Bolsonaro, and I respected him greatly, as did most other leaders. The way Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a highly respected leader throughout the world during his term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace. This trial should not be happening. It is a witch hunt that must end IMMEDIATELY!"

Due in part to Brazil's insidious attacks on Free Elections and the fundamental rights of Americans to Free Speech (as recently illustrated by the Brazilian Supreme Court, which issued hundreds of SECRET and ILLEGAL Censorship Orders to U.S. Social Media platforms, threatening them with Millions of Dollars in Fines and Expulsion from the Brazilian Social Media market), starting August 1, 2025, we will levy a 50% Tariff on any and all Brazilian goods shipped to the United States from Brazil, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs. Goods redirected to avoid this 50% Tariff will be subject to this higher Tariff.

Furthermore, we have had years to discuss our trade relationship with Brazil and have concluded that we must move away from the long-standing and very unfair trade relationship generated by Brazil's tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers. Our relationship has, unfortunately, been far from reciprocal.

Please understand that the 50% figure is far less than what is necessary to have the level playing field we should have with your country. And it is necessary to rectify the grave injustices of the current regime. As you know, there will be no tariff if Brazil, or companies within your country, decide to build or manufacture products in the United States, and, in fact, we will do everything possible to obtain approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely—in other words, within weeks.

If, for any reason, you decide to increase your Tariffs, then whatever number you choose to increase them will be added to the 50% we charge. Please understand that these Tariffs are necessary to correct Brazil's many years of Tariff and Non-Tariff Policies and Trade Barriers, causing these unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States. This Deficit is a major threat to our Economy and, indeed, to our National Security! Furthermore, due to Brazil's continued attacks on American Companies' Digital Commerce activities, as well as other unfair Trade Practices, I am directing United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to immediately initiate a Section 301 Investigation of Brazil.

If you wish to open your trade markets, which have been closed to the United States until now, and eliminate your tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers, we may consider adjusting this letter. These tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your country. You will never be disappointed with the United States of America.

Thank you for your attention to this matter!”