President of the US empire, Donald Trump, presents an executive order during his inaugural parade, January 20, 2025. Photo: Reuters/Carlos Barria.
The president of the US empire, Donald Trump, has announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian products starting August 1, in retaliation for the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro and so-called “violations” of freedom of expression in Brazil.
The measure, according to the White House letter published this Wednesday, July 9, claims to seek balance for the trade relationship between the nations, and responds to trade policies and censorship orders attributed to the Brazilian Supreme Court.
Earlier, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva responded to Trump’s accusations by emphasizing that Brazil “is a sovereign country and does not accept interference or tutelage from anyone.”
Lula also described Trump’s threat, which is now a reality, as “very misguided and irresponsible,” adding that they “don’t want an emperor; I don’t see it as appropriate for a president of a country like the US to threaten the world through the internet,” he said.
President Trump expressed concern about the treatment of former far-right Brazilian president Bolsonaro, describing it as “an international disgrace.” In the letter, he wrote: “This trial should not be happening. It is a witch hunt that must end immediately.”
Trump slaps 50% tariffs on Brazil
‘Due in part to Brazil’s INSIDIOUS attacks on free elections’
Repeats his backing of ex-Prez Bolsonaro, says way he was treated was ‘DISGRACE’ https://t.co/MGQLNsIBYv pic.twitter.com/vMK9FwQqKI
— RT (@RT_com) July 9, 2025
According to the White House, the legal proceedings against the far-right former Brazilian president were only partly the reason for the economic measure. The US colony’s government also pointed to actions by the Brazilian Supreme Court, which reportedly issued “hundreds of secret and illegal censorship orders” to social media platforms in the US empire, threatening them with multimillion-dollar fines and exclusion from the Brazilian market.
These orders, the letter reads, supposedly violate the freedom of expression of citizens of the US empire, as well as electoral transparency in Brazil.
In terms of trade, the US empire criticized the trade relationship with Brazil, calling it “non-reciprocal” due to the South American country’s tariff policies and non-tariff barriers. Trump ironically claimed that the 50% tariff is “much lower” than what is needed to establish a “level playing field” between the two nations.
Furthermore, he warned that goods transshipped to evade this tariff will face an even higher rate. The measure, which takes effect in less than a month, could significantly impact Brazilian exports, especially in sectors such as agriculture, meat, and industrial products, which depend on the US empire’s market.
Brazil’s response
In response, President Lula called his ministers to an urgent meeting following Trump’s “tariff hike.” On Wednesday night, he posted a statement on social media stating that Brazil is a sovereign nation that will not accept foreign interference, and explained that proceedings for those planning the coup d’état (referring to support for Bolsonaro) are under the jurisdiction of the judiciary, as well as that Brazil rejects hate content on social media platforms.
RT reported the Brazilian leader saying that Brazil “will not accept being tutored by anyone” and that “freedom of expression is not to be confused with aggression or violent practices.”
After explaining that the US entity’s decision is not based in facts, as the empire has a trade surplus of more than US$400 billion with Brazil, the Brazilian president reported that his country will address the White House decision in accordance with Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law, meaning there will be an economic retaliation.
Brazil’s Lula to Trump: Brazil Is a Sovereign Country (+BRICS)
Below, you can read the content of President Lula’s statement:
In light of the public statement made by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media on the afternoon of Wednesday (9), it is important to highlight the following:
Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage.
The judicial proceedings against those responsible for planning the coup d’état fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of Brazil´s Judicial Branch and, as such, are not subject to any interference or threats that could compromise the independence of national institutions.
In the context of digital platforms, Brazilian society rejects hateful content, racism, child pornography, scams, fraud, and speeches against human rights and democratic freedom.
In Brazil, freedom of expression must not be confused with aggression or violent practices. All companies—whether domestic or foreign—must comply with Brazilian law in order to operate within our territory.
The claim regarding a U.S. trade deficit in its commercial relationship with Brazil is inaccurate. Statistics from the U.S. government itself show a surplus of $410 billion in the trade of goods and services with Brazil over the past 15 years.
Therefore, any unilateral tariff increases will be addressed in accordance with Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law.
Sovereignty, respect and the unwavering defense of the interests of the Brazilian people are the values that guide our relationship with the world.
(Telesur) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/AU
