U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced that the United States will impose a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian imports starting August 1. He also demanded that Brazil halt its judicial investigation into former President Jair Bolsonaro. In response, the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva strongly condemned Trump’s remarks and pledged a “reciprocal response.”
Chinese media characterized the U.S. tariff threat as politically motivated, aimed at interfering in Latin America’s domestic affairs and foreign policy.
The Huanqiu Times outlined three main reasons behind Trump’s move:
- To support former President Bolsonaro, a key figure in Brazil’s far-right political movement.
- To influence the outcome of Brazil’s 2026 presidential election.
- To undermine the BRICS-led push for “de-dollarization,” which Lula has championed for years.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the Brazilian government and public are clearly rejecting a return of U.S. hegemony in Latin America. It cited three reasons for Lula’s firm stance against Washington:
- The U.S. ran a $7 billion trade surplus with Brazil in 2024, and over the past 15 years has accumulated a total goods and services surplus of approximately $410 billion. “If anyone should be imposing tariffs,” Lula said, “it should be us on the United States.”
- Trade with the U.S. accounts for only 1.7 percent of Brazil’s GDP, giving Lula room to resist pressure.
- Lula’s government has long advocated for national autonomy and firmly opposes what it sees as interference from the Trump administration.
Sources:
1. Huanqiu Times, July 10, 2025
https://world.huanqiu.com/article/4NRJ8EEKKLD
2. Xinhua, July 14, 2025
http://www.xinhuanet.com/mrdx/20250714/5738af8433724e80b12190cf11def87a/c.html