Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariff over Bolsonaro trial

US President Donald Trump said he was planning to impose a 50% tax on goods made in Brazil, escalating his fight with the South American country.

He announced the plan in his latest tariff letter, shared on social media, accusing Brazil of “attacks” on US tech companies and conducting a “witch hunt” against former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing prosecution over his role trying to overturn the 2022 election.

Trump had already sparred with Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva over Bolsonaro’s trial earlier this week.

At the time, President Lula said Brazil would not accept “interference” from anyone and added: “No one is above the law.”

Trump has posted 22 letters to countries around the world this week, including trade partners such as Japan, South Korea and Sri Lanka, outlining new tariffs on their goods he says will come into force on 1 August.

The moves have largely served to revive plans he had put forward in April but that were put on hold after financial markets recoiled at the measures.

But the message to Brazil was a far more targeted missive and threatened a significant increase from the 10% rate the White House had previously announced.