WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday implementing an additional 40 percent tariff on Brazilian products, bringing the total trade duties to 50 percent, the White House announced.
It also cited Brazil’s “unusual and extraordinary policies and actions harming U.S. companies, the free speech rights of U.S. persons, U.S. foreign policy, and the U.S. economy,” and singled out Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre Moraes — overseeing the trial against Bolsonaro — by name.
It did not state what date the tariffs would come into efect, but Trump had previously cited August 1.
Brazil has been bracing for a virtual embargo on its planes, grains and crude oil under the move, which brushes aside centuries-old ties and a US trade surplus which Brasilia put at $284 million in 2024.
The political nature of the spat seems to make a last-minute deal less likely.
Brazil has insisted the case against Bolsonaro will go ahead unless prosecutors decide otherwise. He is accused of plotting a coup to stay in power after losing the last election. – AFP
