U.S. Imposes 50% Tariff on Brazilian Imports
Controversy Over "Persecution of Political Rival" and Meddling in Internal Affairs
Experts Say the Move Could Actually Boost Lula's Support
U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by announcing a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil starting August 1, while referring to "persecution of a political rival." However, some analysts suggest that this measure could actually serve as a political advantage for Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva.
Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Donald Trump, whose conflict is intensifying. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
According to Yonhap News on the 9th (local time), "President Trump not only cited 'unfair trade' as the reason for imposing the highest tariff rate among the countries he has sent tariff letters to, but also criticized the ongoing trial against former President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil for allegedly plotting a coup, calling it a 'witch hunt.'"
Former President Bolsonaro, often called the "Trump of Brazil," was indicted after losing the 2022 presidential election to President Lula. He faces charges of attempting to maintain power through various activities with officials such as the defense and justice ministers. He is accused of plotting to assassinate President Lula, planning a military coup to seize control of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and establishing an emergency body to create a new order. Supporters of former President Bolsonaro staged a massive post-election riot on January 2023, just one week after President Lula's inauguration.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, former lawmaker and son of the former president, is suspected of contacting the Trump administration in the United States in an attempt to secure a favorable outcome in the trial. In response, President Lula criticized last month, stating, "It is clearly an act of terrorism for a Brazilian politician to act in the United States with the aim of sanctioning our Supreme Court justices," adding, "This is a serious matter and an anti-national act."
However, as President Trump imposed an extremely high tariff while raising the issue of former President Bolsonaro, there are now claims that the U.S. government is using tariffs to pressure Brazil over its internal political issues. As a result, the political conflict between President Lula, who has led the de-dollarization movement in the BRICS bloc alongside China and Russia, and President Trump is intensifying further.
Nonetheless, some analysts believe this could boost President Lula's support. Oliver Stuenkel, professor of international relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Brazil, told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), "Trump's tariffs could backfire on Bolsonaro and harm the political prospects of the conservative alliance," adding, "If President Lula responds well ahead of next year's presidential election, it could give him significant strength." He also emphasized, "Trump's blatant interference in Brazil's internal affairs has a rallying effect for the Lula administration."
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