The United States imposed 50 percent tariffs on a significant proportion of goods imported from Brazil, with the measure taking effect one minute after midnight Tuesday to Wednesday, seven days after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order.
Although Brazil was initially to be subject to basic tariffs of 10 percent, President Trump decided to increase the rate to 50 percent, exceeding any similar rate applied in other countries.
The move is attributed to the US president's intense displeasure with the prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, whom the Brazilian judiciary accuses of involvement in a coup attempt after the 2022 election. Trump called the prosecution a "witch hunt" and went on to impose sanctions on federal supreme court judge Alessandre de Morais.
Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest the day before yesterday for violating the restrictions imposed on him in relation to his public presence on social media.
Lula's government has voiced its opposition, with the president denouncing the imposition of tariffs as an "attack on Brazil's national sovereignty," although Brasilia appears to downplay the impact of the measure. According to the government, only 36 percent of Brazil's exports to the U.S. are affected by the new tariffs.
Trump's executive order provides for exceptions for product categories such as orange juice, energy goods and aeronautics. However, sectors such as coffee are included in the 50% tariffs.
Trump threatens EU with new high tariffs
Alongside the measures against Brazil, the US president unleashed new threats against the European Union, warning of the imposition of 35% tariffs if the promise of investment of €600 billion is not kept under the US-EU trade agreement.
In an interview with CNBC, Trump said: "They gave us $600 billion. We can invest in whatever we want. It's time for them to pay. They exploited us for years."
The U.S. president also announced new measures in the pharmaceutical sector, saying pharmaceuticals produced in China, Ireland and elsewhere would face tariffs of up to 250 percent within 18 months. "We want pharmaceutical products to be produced in our country," he said.
Trump explained that the tariffs on drugs would be separate from the general 15 percent package that applies to other imported products, noting that the measure does not apply to steel and aluminium.
