Trump
By Chris Williams
US President Donald Trump has imposed a sweeping 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, dramatically escalating trade tensions with South America’s largest economy amid his criticism of the ongoing trial of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. Trump’s announcement, made on Wednesday, also included the introduction of a new 50% “national security” tariff on copper imports, set to take effect on 1 August 2025.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Trump lashed out at the prosecution of Bolsonaro — his right-wing ally — calling the legal proceedings an “international disgrace”. Bolsonaro is currently on trial over allegations that he plotted a coup following his defeat in the 2022 election.
Trump Targets Brazil Over Bolsonaro Trial
“Any attempt to destroy the will of the Brazilian people, as we see in this trial, is unacceptable to freedom-loving nations,” Trump wrote. The US president described the treatment of Bolsonaro as “an affront to democracy” and declared that the 50% tariff was a response not only to Brazil’s trade practices but also its “political persecution” of opposition leaders.
The move caught Brazil by surprise. In swift response, President Lula confirmed that Brazil had summoned the US chargé d’affaires to explain the decision and warned that retaliation may be imminent. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Lula said:
“Any unilateral tariff increases will be addressed in light of the Brazilian Law of Economic Reciprocity.”
The new tariffs will apply to a wide range of Brazilian exports, although exact product categories have not yet been specified. Until now, Brazil had avoided elevated duties above the 10% baseline set by Trump in his April tariff directive. The United States currently maintains a goods trade surplus with Brazil.
50% Tariff on Copper Imports Cites ‘National Security’
In a separate move announced Wednesday evening on social media, Trump revealed that a 50% tariff will be levied on copper imports starting 1 August. Citing a “robust NATIONAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT,” Trump said the US Department of Defense heavily relies on copper, particularly in military equipment, energy infrastructure, and green technology manufacturing.
“Copper is the second most used material by the Department of Defense!” Trump declared.
The US Department of Commerce earlier this year launched a formal investigation into the supply chain vulnerability posed by foreign copper imports, particularly from countries with weak labour standards or unclear environmental regulations.
Tariff Blitz: Dozens of Countries Hit
Brazil is one of more than 20 countries that received formal letters from the White House this week outlining tariff increases as part of Trump’s “reciprocal trade” strategy. Other recipients include the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Algeria, Libya, Iraq, and Moldova — with announced tariffs ranging from 20% to 30%, all set to take effect on 1 August.
This wave of letters follows Trump’s initial April proclamation, in which he imposed a blanket 10% tariff on almost all trading partners. At the time, he threatened steeper rates for countries whose trade practices he deemed “unfair”, but postponed those increases pending negotiations.
Now, with the deadline looming, the letters spell out specific new rates and renew the administration’s warning that further escalations will follow if countries retaliate or fail to comply.
Trump’s messages urged leaders to “build in America” to avoid tariffs, reinforcing his America First trade doctrine. “These duties are the result of years of unbalanced trade,” he wrote. “They are meant to correct decades of exploitation.”
EU in Focus as Deadline Approaches
Amid the barrage of tariffs, eyes are now turning to the European Union. Trump stated on Tuesday that a letter outlining the EU’s tariff rates could be sent within “two days”, though it had yet to be received by Wednesday evening.
An EU spokesperson responded cautiously, saying that the bloc remains “committed to finding a mutually beneficial solution” and is hopeful of reaching a deal “in the coming days.”
The EU has so far been shielded from Trump’s harshest measures but remains vulnerable to retaliatory action as Washington pushes for expanded bilateral trade pacts.
Broader Tariff Strategy and Global Implications
Since returning to the White House in January, President Trump has steadily reintroduced and expanded tariffs on sectors he claims are key to national security and economic resilience — including steel, aluminium, autos, and now copper. He has framed the new trade regime as necessary to protect American manufacturing and reduce dependency on adversarial economies.
Analysts warn that these measures could disrupt global supply chains, trigger retaliatory tariffs, and increase prices on imported goods. Brazil’s likely countermeasures may target US agricultural exports, aircraft, and high-tech goods — sectors where American firms have strong market positions.
Economists are also closely watching how the copper tariff could affect renewable energy development, construction, and technology sectors, which rely heavily on the metal.
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