President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States will impose a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil starting August 1, in retaliation for the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and what he called a "very unfair" trade and market relationship between the two countries. In the letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Trump explained that the new tariff represents a sharp increase from the 10% tariff that had been in place since April. The letter is part of a series of nearly two dozen similar letters recently sent to world leaders notifying them of tariff increases for their countries.

However, the letter to Lula went further, explicitly imposing the tariff as political punishment for domestic issues that Trump disapproves of. “This is an international disgrace,” Trump wrote about the trial of Bolsonaro, his political ally, accused of attempted coup after his defeat in 2022.

Trump criticizes Brazil's domestic politics and trade

Trump called Bolsonaro's trial a “witch hunt,” using the same term he used to describe the criminal investigations against him before winning the presidency in 2024. He also accused Brazil of “insidious attacks on Free Elections and the Fundamental Rights of Free Speech of Americans,” referring to a recent Brazilian Supreme Court ruling that could hold platforms liable for content posted by their users.

In addition to political criticism, Trump argued that Brazilian trade policies have generated "unsustainable trade deficits" for the United States, which threaten its economy and national security. However, data from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative shows that in 2024 the country had a trade surplus in goods with Brazil of $7.4 billion. The letter also announced the launch of an investigation into allegedly unfair trade practices by Brazil, particularly related to the digital activities of U.S. companies.

“Please understand that 50% is far less than what is needed to have a level playing field with your country. It is necessary to rectify the grave injustices of the current regime.”

Trump.

All of the letters sent this week, including those addressed to Japan, South Korea, Moldova, and Brunei, specify that these general tariffs do not replace other sector-specific levies, such as those already in place on steel, aluminum, or autos. They also include a warning: if any country decides to raise its tariffs on US products, the US will increase its tariffs accordingly.

Finally, Trump notes that these tariffs can be modified "up or down" depending on the bilateral relationship. "You will never be disappointed in the United States of America," all the letters conclude.