President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports beginning August 1 unless the South American nation ends what he called a "Witch Hunt" prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The move, announced in a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva posted Wednesday on Truth Social, marks an unprecedented linkage of U.S. trade policy to the domestic legal proceedings of a foreign ally.
"This Trial should not be taking place," Trump wrote, referring to Bolsonaro's ongoing prosecution for allegedly orchestrating a coup attempt after losing Brazil's 2022 presidential election. Trump, who has frequently compared Bolsonaro's legal troubles to his own, called the right-wing leader "a highly respected figure throughout the world."
Lula responded swiftly, stating in a post on X, "Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage." He added that "any unilateral tariff increases" would trigger reciprocal measures under Brazil's Law of Economic Reciprocity.
Trump's warning to Brazil stands out among 22 tariff letters sent this week to countries including South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Libya. Most cited trade imbalances and protectionist policies, but Brazil's letter uniquely addressed political grievances, including Brazil's court-ordered takedowns of U.S.-based social media content. "Secret and unlawful censorship orders," Trump wrote, "should not be tolerated."
Trump Media, which owns Truth Social and is majority-owned by the former president, is among the U.S. tech companies challenging Brazilian court rulings related to social media account suspensions.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Brazil posted a $6.8 billion trade surplus with the United States in 2023. U.S. exports to Brazil included aircraft, industrial machinery, and refined fuels - sectors that could face retaliatory tariffs if Lula acts on his warning. Brazilian exports to the U.S., including petroleum, iron, and coffee, have faced a minimum 10% tariff since April under Trump's "reciprocal tariff" framework.
Trump wrote in the letter that "there will be no Tariff if Brazil, or companies within your Country, decide to build or manufacture product within the United States," a phrase echoed in other letters this week. On Wednesday, Trump also formally announced a 50% tariff on copper imports, effective August 1, citing national security concerns and blaming the Biden administration for neglecting the domestic copper industry.
"I am announcing a 50% TARIFF on Copper, effective August 1, 2025, after receiving a robust NATIONAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT," Trump stated on Truth Social. "Copper is the second most used material by the Department of Defense."
Copper prices surged in anticipation of the announcement, with futures jumping 13.1% Tuesday to $5.69 per pound - the highest single-day gain since at least 1968. While Trump vowed to "build a DOMINANT Copper Industry," analysts cautioned the move could backfire. "The U.S. remains structurally short on copper," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. "A tariff-induced price premium risks making copper - and by extension, U.S. manufacturing - materially more expensive."
Trump's letter to Lula also marked the first time in months that a foreign leader threatened to match Trump's tariff hike.
Brazil is the United States' 15th-largest trading partner. Lula rejected Trump's claim that the U.S. runs a trade deficit with Brazil, pointing to government data showing a $7.4 billion U.S. goods trade surplus in 2024.
