Another blow for Brazil! US slaps 50% tariff to safeguard American interests; cites Bolsonaro's prosecution as economic emergency

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order enforcing his earlier threat to impose 50% tariffs on Brazil, citing the need to safeguard US interests. The order invokes a 1977 law, arguing that Brazil’s policies and the criminal prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro amount to an economic emergency.The tariffs come on top of an existing 10% levy and will take effect seven days after the order’s signing. However, not all imports will be subject to the 40% tariff. Exemptions include civil aircraft and parts, aluminium, tin, wood pulp, energy products, and fertilisers.The move follows through on Trump’s earlier threat to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, made in a 9 July letter, and marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations."Members of the Government of Brazil have taken actions that interfere with the economy of the United States, infringe the free expression rights of United States persons, violate human rights, and undermine the interest the United States has in protecting its citizens and companies. Members of the Government of Brazil are also politically persecuting a former President of Brazil, which is contributing to the deliberate breakdown in the rule of law in Brazil, to politically motivated intimidation in that country, and to human rights abuses," a statement from White House read. The statement claimed that Brazil’s judiciary had attempted to coerce social media companies and block their users. While it did not name specific platforms, the companies involved are speculated to be X and Rumble.The US President appears to align himself with Bolsonaro, who sought to overturn the outcome of his 2022 election defeat to Lula. In a parallel development, Trump was indicted in 2023 over his own attempts to challenge the results of the 2020 US presidential election.After Trump’s announcement, Lula left an animal rights event early, stating that he needed to defend the “the sovereignty of the Brazilian people in light of the measures announced by the President of the United States,” AP reported.Trump’s Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, citing alleged suppression of freedom of expression and his role in the ongoing trial of Jair Bolsonaro.De Moraes is overseeing the criminal case against Bolsonaro, who stands accused of orchestrating a plot to remain in power following his 2022 election defeat.Earlier, on 18 July, the US State Department had announced visa restrictions on Brazilian judicial officials, including de Moraes.