Trump Hits Brazil With 50% Tariff

President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 50 per cent tariff targeting Brazilian goods, while launching a new “national security” duty on copper imports set to take effect on August 1.

In a strongly worded letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Trump condemned the ongoing trial of former Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro, calling it an “international disgrace.” Bolsonaro is facing trial over allegations that he attempted to stage a coup after losing the 2022 election to Lula.

Responding on social media platform X, Lula warned that Brazil would consider retaliatory measures, writing, “Any unilateral tariff increases will be addressed in light of the Brazilian Law of Economic Reciprocity.” Earlier in the day, Brazil had summoned the U.S. chargé d’affaires over Trump’s earlier comments about Bolsonaro’s legal troubles.

Trump’s letter confirmed that the 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian products would be enforced starting August 1 — the same day he also intends to implement a 50 per cent tariff on copper imports to the United States. Justifying the move, Trump cited a “robust NATIONAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT,” possibly referencing an ongoing Department of Commerce investigation.

“Copper is the second most used material by the Department of Defence!” Trump declared in his statement posted Wednesday evening.

The announcement comes amid a broader escalation in Trump’s trade policies. Since Monday, he has issued over 20 letters to world leaders, outlining new tariff rates as part of his push for “reciprocal” trade arrangements. Wednesday’s batch included letters to leaders in the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Algeria, Libya, Iraq, and Moldova, with proposed tariffs ranging from 20 to 30 per cent.

Although Brazil had not previously been listed among the countries facing duties above the 10 per cent baseline, Trump’s administration now plans to impose the higher rate, despite the U.S. maintaining a trade surplus with Brazil.

In his letters, Trump repeatedly urged foreign governments to shift manufacturing to the United States to avoid the tariffs, warning of further escalation if they respond with retaliatory measures.

“Trade ties… are far from Reciprocal,” Trump wrote in multiple messages, asserting that his moves were in response to long-standing imbalances.

Other nations that have received letters outlining upcoming tariffs include Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Thailand — with analysts observing that Asia has been a significant target so far.

Attention is now turning to the European Union, which has not yet received a formal tariff letter. Trump told reporters on Tuesday that a message to the EU was “probably two days off,” hinting at a fresh round of trade pressure. Meanwhile, an EU spokesperson said the bloc is eager to strike a deal with the U.S. “in the coming days.”

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has intensified his protectionist trade agenda, rolling out sector-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles. So far, his administration has reached limited new trade agreements — with Britain, Vietnam, and a temporary truce with China being the only major developments.