On Thursday (14), US President Donald Trump spoke about the taxation of 50% for Brazil at a press conference at the White House. The Republican said the country is a terrible commercial partner.
“Brazil has been a terrible commercial partner in tariff terms. As you know, they charge us huge tariffs, much more than we are charging them. Essentially, we were not charging anything,” said Trump.
In addition, at the press conference, he was also asked about the approach of Brazil and Mexico with China, due to the imposition of tariffs. He said he doesn’t care about strengthening business relationships between them:
“By no means, I’m not at all worried. None of them are doing very well, and what we are doing in terms of economics will surprise everyone, including China.”
Trump also talked about Jair Bolsonaro having to serve house arrest after the Federal Supreme Court (STF) understands that he violated precautionary measures such as use of social networks and nighttime recollection. He is investigated for an attempted coup and an alleged articulation with foreign authorities to interfere with the Brazilian judiciary. In addition to him, other government member have also become defendants, including military and former ministers such as Anderson Torres, Mauro Cid, Braga Netto and Augusto Heleno.
“Brazil has been a terrible commercial partner in tariff terms. As you know, they charge us huge tariffs, much more than we are charging them. Essentially, we were not charging anything.”
The voltage scenario intensified after the US State Department applied sanctions against Minister Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of leading an “oppressive censorship campaign” in Brazil. Moraes was included in the US Foreign Asset Control Agency (OFAC) list, with punishments that include the blocking of goods, bank restrictions and banning transactions with US entities – measures known as the “financial death penalty”. In response, Moraes said he will continue with the conduct of the cases in the Supreme Court, ignoring the sanctions and rejecting the accusations, with the support of court colleagues, such as Luis Roberto Barroso and Gilmar Mendes.
Brazil, on the other hand, tries to balance the relationship with Washington. Even under attacks and pressures, the South American country remains one of the leading US business partners in Latin America. However, Trump’s most aggressive stance and the attempt to interference with Brazilian interference put in check the direction of diplomacy between the two countries – especially at a time when Paraguay advances to take up more space as a strategic ally of Washington.
