President Donald Trump announced that he would impose a 50% tariff on goods imported to the United States from Brazil.
Trump said in a post on social media that the tariff would take effect Aug. 1. The president has sent 21 letters to other countries so far announcing trade proposals since Monday.
The 50% tariff against Brazil is the highest rate the president has announced thus far. Additionally, his letter to President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva was formatted differently than his letters to other countries.
“We have had years to discuss our trading relationship with Brazil, and have concluded that we must move away from the longstanding, and very unfair trade relationship engendered by Brazil’s Tariff, and non-reciprocal Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers. Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal,” Trump said.
The president left open the possibility to increase tariffs against Brazil if the country initiates retaliatory tariffs.
“If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by will be added onto the 50% we charge,” the president wrote.
He also said he would take away the tariff if Brazil or Brazilian companies decide to manufacture products in the U.S.
“If you wish to open your heretofore closed Trading Markets to the United States, and eliminate your Tariff, and non-Tariff policies and Trade Barriers, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter,” Trump added.
The president’s tariff rate appears to represent his attempts to make good on the promise of going after the BRICS bloc of nations, in which Brazil is a member. Trump previously affirmed a 10% tariff against BRICS member countries.
“BRICS was set up to hurt us; BRICS was set up to degenerate our dollar and take it off as the standard,” Trump said at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
In the letter, the president also expressed sympathy for Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, who currently faces trial over allegations that he attempted to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election.
“This Trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!” Trump wrote.
The president also criticized the Brazilian Supreme Court for issuing orders that made digital platforms responsible for users’ content. These policies impact platforms like Google, Meta and X by mandating them to remove racism, hate speech and incitement to violence posted by users.
