President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States would impose a 50% tariff to all imports from Brazil, After a public altercation this week with his Brazilian couple, which called him “Emperor.”
In a letter, Trump linked the tariffs on Brazil’s treatment to former president Jair Bolsonaro, that is being tried for charges to conspire to give a coup d’etat.
The taxes were imposed due “partly to the insidious attacks of Brazil to free elections and the fundamental rights of freedom of expression of Americans “, The letter said.
Moments later, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva responds to Trump for social network X: “Before the public statement made by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, on social networks on Wednesday afternoon, it is important to highlight: Brazil is a sovereign country with independent institutions that will not accept to be controlled by anyone. The judicial process against those who planned the coup d’etat is exclusive responsibility for Brazilian justice and, therefore, is not subject to any type of interference or threat that violates the independence of national institutions. “
“In the context of digital platforms, Brazilian society rejects hate content, racism, child pornography, fraud, fraud and speeches contrary to human rights and democratic freedoms. In Brazil, freedom of expression should not be confused with aggression or violent practices, “he added.
The president also explained that to operate in the country, all national and foreign companies are subject to Brazilian legislation. “Information about the alleged American deficit in the commercial relationship between Brazil and the United States is false. The US government statistics themselves demonstrate a surplus of US $ 410,000 million in the trade of goods and services with Brazil in the last 15 years. In this sense, any measure of unilateral rates will be answered in the light of the Brazilian economic reciprocity law. Sovereignty, respect and unrestricted defense of the interests of the Brazilian people are the values that guide our relationship with the world, “he concluded.
Commercial partners
The United States is the second trade partner of Brazil, after Chinaand tariffs account for a significant increase compared to 10% that had been announced in April.
Trump’s letter says that the 50% tariff will begin on August 1 and will be independent of all sectoral tariffs.
Trump also ordered the United States Trade Representative, James Greer, who initiated an investigation into what he described as unfair commercial practices by Brazilin particular about the digital trade of American companies.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, He had been challenging on Monday by closing the summit when he responded to journalists who asked him about Trump’s tariff threats.
“The world has changed. We don’t want an emperor, “he said.
Tensions by former president Jair Bolsonaro
The tension between the United States and Brazil worsened on Wednesday after the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs He summoned the business manager of the American embassy for a statement in defense of former president Jair Bolsonaro, a source told Reuters.
Almost at the same time, Trump, in statements to journalists in an act with leaders of Western Africa at the White House, said Brazil “It has not been good with us, nothing good,” and added that the tariffs would be based on “very, very substantial facts” and last history.
The United States Embassy in Brasilia confirmed Wednesday that Gabriel Escobarhis business manager, had a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, but did not want to give details about the conversation.
The Brazilian ministry did not respond to a request for comments.
Trump had said Monday in a message on social networks that former president Bolsonaro, that he is being judged accused of planning a coup d’etat to prevent Lula from assuming the position in January 2023, was the victim of a “witch hunt.”
“The political persecution of Jair Bolsonaro, His family and their supporters are shameful and disrespectful of the democratic traditions of Brazil, “said the American embassy press office in a statement in Portuguese.
