Donald Trump isn’t holding back when it comes to Brazil. In a letter dated July 9, 2025, Trump put Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on notice—calling the ongoing trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro an international embarrassment and warning that a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods is about to hit hard.
Trump, who’s had a longstanding relationship with Bolsonaro, called the prosecution a “witch hunt” and said it should be ended immediately. He also accused the Brazilian Supreme Court of threatening free speech rights of Americans by targeting U.S. social media platforms with secret censorship orders, fines, and even eviction threats from the Brazilian market.
As a result, Trump announced that starting August 1, his administration will impose a 50% tariff on all Brazilian imports entering the U.S. These tariffs would be separate from any existing trade barriers, and Trump made it clear that any attempts to sidestep them—like transshipping—will be met with the same penalties.
But that’s not all. Trump said that if Brazil tries to raise its own tariffs in response, the U.S. will add that percentage on top of the 50%. He also directed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to immediately begin a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s trade practices and digital restrictions.
Trump made it known that these tariffs aren’t just about punishment—they’re about restoring balance in a trade relationship he says has been unfair for years. He also left the door open for Brazil to avoid or reduce the tariffs by opening up its market and eliminating the restrictions on U.S. companies.
In Trump’s words, “You will never be disappointed with the United States of America.” Want to bet?
