Trump's Tariffs Target Brazil Amid Bolsonaro Controversy

In a bold move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday imposing a hefty 50% tariff on Brazil, citing economic emergency due to Brazil's policies and prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The order stems from a 1977 law designed to handle such emergencies.

The decision follows Trump's earlier warning on July 9 in a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Notably, the US actually enjoyed a $6.8 billion trade surplus with Brazil last year, raising questions about the real motivations behind the tariffs. The White House accused Brazilian judiciary of attempts to control social media platforms, highlighting controversies involving companies like X and Rumble.

In response, Brazilian President Lula swiftly criticized Trump's tariffs, expressing the need to protect "the sovereignty of the Brazilian people." Meanwhile, the Trump administration intensified actions by sanctioning Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, charged with curbing free expression amid Bolsonaro's legal battles. These diplomatic tensions continue to unfold as the tariffs are set to take effect shortly.

(With inputs from agencies.)