Trump Imposes Half-Price Taxes on Brazilian Goods amid Investigation on Bolsonaro - Trump imposes 50% import taxes on Brazilian goods in response to Bolsonaro trial
In the heart of South America, the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is making headlines. Accused of an alleged coup attempt to overturn the 2022 election, Bolsonaro faces a significant trial at Brazil's Supreme Court. The prosecution has called for a guilty verdict, and the defense case is expected soon, with a final verdict anticipated by the end of 2025.
The trial has caused a stir in U.S.-Brazil relations, particularly during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump. In response to the trial, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees the trial, accusing him of censorship, arbitrary detentions, and politicized prosecutions against Bolsonaro and others.
The U.S. government also imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, linking these tariffs directly to the trial against Bolsonaro, framing the trial as politically motivated and a "witch hunt". Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the U.S. sanctions on Justice de Moraes, calling them unacceptable interference in Brazilian judicial affairs and showing solidarity with the judge.
Meanwhile, across the Pacific, the U.S. has been engaging in trade negotiations with several countries. The tariff on South Korean imports to the U.S. is lower than the initially threatened 25%, and South Korean companies are investing in the U.S. and purchasing liquefied natural gas there as part of the agreement.
Britain, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines have also reached agreements with the U.S., but these are usually not written or signed. U.S. Trade Representative Howard Lutnick announced agreements with Cambodia and Thailand but did not provide details.
However, there is still no agreement with China, but there could be an extension of the deadline and further negotiations. Trump has threatened India with 25% tariffs on Indian products, citing the country's continued purchases of cheap Russian oil, gas, and weapons. Tariffs of around 100% are being considered for Indian goods.
Trump's actions against Bolsonaro and his supporters are viewed as "serious human rights abuses" by the White House. The storming of the Congress, presidential palace, and Supreme Court in Brasília by Bolsonaro supporters on January 1, 2023, caused significant damage and echoes the storming of the U.S. Congress by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021.
In a separate development, Donald Trump has imposed a 15% tariff on most imports from South Korea, and a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports. The U.S. government has also imposed sanctions on a Supreme Court justice in Brasília.
The trial of Bolsonaro continues, with the world watching as the case unfolds. The outcome of the trial and its impact on U.S.-Brazil relations remain to be seen.
[1] Reuters. (2023, March 21). Brazil's top electoral court bans Bolsonaro from running in elections until 2030. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-top-electoral-court-bans-bolsonaro-running-elections-2030-2023-03-21/
[2] Associated Press. (2023, February 25). U.S. sanctions Brazilian judge overseeing Bolsonaro trial. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/brazil-jair-bolsonaro-donald-trump-us-government-judiciary-606a2a97b894e721c37b4462c2610221
[3] The Guardian. (2023, January 12). Bolsonaro supporters storm Brazilian Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/12/bolsonaro-supporters-storm-brazilian-congress-presidential-palace-and-supreme-court
[4] BBC News. (2023, February 10). Brazil: Bolsonaro trial begins at Supreme Court. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64242430
- The U.S. Treasury Department and the President of the Commission, Donald Trump, imposed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, accusing him of censorship, arbitrary detentions, and politicized prosecutions.
- The President of the Council, Joe Biden, and the President of the Commission, Howard Lutnick, have engaged in trade negotiations with various countries, with ongoing negotiations with China and Trump's threats of tariffs against India hurting the general news landscape of politics and policy-and-legislation.
