President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he plans to levy a 50% tariff on Brazil because of the country’s prosecution of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, for allegedly leading a coup attempt.
“I knew and dealt with former President Jair Bolsonaro, and respected him greatly, as did most other Leaders of Countries. The way that Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a Highly Respected Leader throughout the World during his Term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace. This Trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote in a letter to Brazil’s current leader, Lula da Silva, which he posted on Truth Social.
Trump is referring to the right-wing Bolsonaro’s ongoing trial before Brazil’s supreme court for allegedly participating in an attempt to overturn the results of the country’s 2022 election. Bolsonaro’s behavior is reminiscent of some of Trump’s actions following the 2020 election.