Trump tariffs put Bolsonaro and Brazilian right in a bind
SAO PAULO - U.S. President Donald Trump pitched his 50% tariffs against Brazil as a way to support former President Jair Bolsonaro, but three people close to the right-wing ex-president said they were stunned by the move and fear it may do more harm than good.
Announcing the higher tariffs in a letter last week, Trump cast them as a pressure tactic to help Bolsonaro, who is on trial before the Brazilian Supreme Court for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn his loss in the 2022 presidential election.
Bolsonaro has described the accusations as baseless and insisted he will run for president in 2026, despite a court decision that bars him from the race. In his tariff letter, Trump said his ally Bolsonaro is the victim of a "witch hunt."
Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who defeated Bolsonaro in 2022, has neither the interest nor the ability to interfere in the case. Last week, he dismissed Trump as an unwanted "emperor" and threatened retaliation if trade negotiations do not advance.
Bolsonaro allies fear the steep tariffs, likely to hurt Brazilian sectors from coffee and orange growers to cattle ranching and the aviation industry, could rally national pride behind a defiant Lula, supporting his sagging popularity.
Backlash against Trump has already given a boost to several of his ideological foes abroad. Left-of-center parties surged to victory in Canadian and Australian elections this year, riding a wave of opposition to Trump's policies, while hard-right Trump allies have struggled in Romania and Hungary.
Bolsonaro's inner circle had been eager for a display of Trump's support since he returned to the White House. Lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, one of the former president's sons, took a leave of absence from Brasilia and moved with his family to rally support for his father in Washington.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong
Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president
Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains
Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall
Singapore Singapore CDL's long-time director Phillip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud
Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar
Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release
Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years
But the thrill of catching Trump's attention soon curdled as the Bolsonaros realized the crushing weight of the tariffs tied to their cause, according to the sources, who said the family had expected targeted sanctions against one judge overseeing the Supreme Court case.
Now the Bolsonaro clan has no alternative but to support Trump and his letter, even while understanding that the move "could provoke negative reactions," said one of the sources, requesting anonymity to discuss private conversations.
SCATHING EDITORIALS
Last week, in the wake of Trump's tariff announcement, leaders of Brazil's Congress who had been fighting Lula on several fronts issued statements supporting him.
"The banner of nationalism holds a very significant appeal, especially within the right-wing camp," said Graziella Testa, a professor of political science at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Brasília.
A close association with Trump may prove electorally toxic for allies of Bolsonaro, whose political future was already clouded by the threat of a possible prison sentence and the court decision barring him from public office until 2030.
"It is absolutely deplorable that there are still people in Brazil who defend Trump," wrote the conservative opinion page of major Brazilian newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo in an editorial last week. "Wearing Trump's cap today means aligning oneself with a troglodyte who could cause immense damage to the Brazilian economy."
Bolsonaro representatives declined to comment on the newspaper's editorial.
On Sunday, the former president tried to show empathy for his supporters without alienating Trump.
"It doesn't make me happy to see our rural and urban producers, as well as the people, suffer with this 50% tariff," he said on social media, adding: "The solution is in the hands of the Brazilian authorities."
Other conservative politicians in Brazil are also trying to strike a tricky balance in their public comments.
Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas, who launched his political career from Bolsonaro's cabinet and is now seen as a possible heir to his electorate, initially blamed Lula's ideology for the tariff hike on social media.
By Friday, he was shifting focus to Washington, saying on X that he had met with the head of the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia to "open a dialogue ... based on data and consolidated arguments."
The lawmaker Bolsonaro criticized his former ally's efforts to negotiate a compromise and pinned the blame for the situation squarely on Lula's administration, which the hard-right has sought to characterize as a leftist dictatorship.
"I'm sorry, but there is no way to ask President Trump — or any remotely decent international authority — to treat a dictatorship as if it were a democracy," he wrote on X. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
26 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Russian attack kills three in Zaporizhzhia region, governor says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A Russian attack killed three people in southeastern Zaporizhzhia region on Sunday, the regional governor said, as Moscow's forces press on with their slow advance westward along the 1,000-km (620-mile) front line with Ukraine. Governor Ivan Fedorov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the three people were killed in the daytime strike on the town of Stepnohirsk. Private homes were destroyed. Reuters could not independently confirm the report. In Kamianske, a town a few kilometers south of Stepnohirsk on the Dnipro River in Zaporizhzhia region, a military spokesman said on Saturday that Ukrainian troops were holding on to their positions despite Russian attempts to take control. Fedorov's account came amid reports in recent days of new Russian military action in Ukraine's east and southeast. Ukraine's top commander said Moscow's forces were changing their tactics, using smaller sabotage units in a bid to push forward with their drive through eastern Donetsk region. Russian forces have focused their drive on parts of Donetsk region, particularly the logistics center of Pokrovsk, under Russian attack for months. Russia's Defence Ministry said on Thursday its forces had scored a major gain by capturing the town of Chasiv Yar, to the northeast, after months of fighting, though Ukraine has not acknowledged this. Russia's Defence Ministry on Saturday said it had taken control of another village closer to Pokrovsk. Denis Pushilin, the Russia-installed head of parts of Donetsk region under Moscow's control, said in a video posted online on Sunday the capture of Chasiv Yar, located on high ground would enable them to make further gains. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top commander, writing on Facebook on Saturday, said his forces faced the fiercest fighting around Pokrovsk and in two other sectors. "At the same time, the Russians are resorting to the tactic of 'total infiltration' with the increase of sabotage actions in our rear," he wrote. "It is in this way that they are trying to enter Pokrovsk." Ukrainian forces, he said, had set up "counter-sabotage reserves, whose task is to seek out and destroy enemy reconnaissance and sabotage groups." REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Top Trump aide accuses India of financing Russia's war in Ukraine
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox WASHINGTON - A top aide to President Donald Trump on Sunday accused India of effectively financing Russia's war in Ukraine by purchasing oil from Moscow, after the U.S. leader escalated pressure on New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil. "What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia," said Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House and one of Trump's most influential aides. Miller's criticism was some of the strongest yet by the Trump administration about one of the United States' major partners in the Indo-Pacific. "People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That's an astonishing fact," Miller said on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures." The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday that New Delhi will keep purchasing oil from Moscow despite U.S. threats. A 25% tariff on Indian products went into effect on Friday as a result of its purchase of military equipment and energy from Russia. Trump has also threatened 100% tariffs on U.S. imports from countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with Ukraine. Miller tempered his criticism by noting Trump's relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which he described as "tremendous." REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Advantages of ERP onboard units must not come at expense of safety or reliability
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox I wish to raise important concerns regarding the installation and operation of on-board units (OBUs) under the ERP 2.0 system, which affect safety, usability and regulatory compliance. Installing OBUs involves wiring in vehicles. Industry feedback indicates that some installers reuse existing wiring while others opt for new wiring, which is ideal but more expensive. This disparity raises safety risks including electrical faults, short circuits and potential fire hazards. Furthermore, radio frequencies in certain vehicle systems may experience interference or temporary malfunction during OBU operation. Vehicle owners, being laypersons, have limited means to verify the quality of installation, which can result in uncertainty and inconvenience. It was reported that around 5,400 vehicles – or 1.8 per cent of the nearly 300,000 OBUs installed since November 2023 – have encountered problems such as unresponsive devices, wiring faults and frozen displays ( Issues reported in 1.8% of cars with ERP on-board unit installed, or 5,400 out of 300k ; June 10). Users commonly report difficulties entering carparks or passing ERP gantries, which often need lengthy follow-up visits for troubleshooting. Another concern is the placement of OBU components near or on the windscreen, which can create blind spots and reduce driver visibility. Obstruction laws in some countries prohibit devices from being mounted on the windscreen. It would be prudent for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to clarify Singapore's position on this matter and confirm that field-of-vision assessments align with international standards. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No plans to fully liberalise cross-border ride-hailing services between Singapore and Johor: LTA Singapore LTA, Singapore bus operators reviewing Malaysia's request to start services from JB at 4am World Trump is winning his trade war, but Americans will pay the price Singapore President Tharman meets migrant workers who saved driver of car that fell into sinkhole Singapore Singapore must stay socially progressive while conserving its cultures: President Tharman Sport A 'wake-up call': National coach Gary Tan on Singapore swimmers' performances at WCH 2025 Opinion The charm – and drawbacks – of living in a time warp in Singapore Life KPop Demon Hunters to get sequels, expanded universe to include musical, live-action remake While OBUs bring clear benefits, including more flexible ERP charging, improved traffic data, and prospects for smart mobility, these advantages must not come at the expense of safety or reliability. Since it is often difficult to definitively link incidents like fires to installation negligence, transparency through independent investigations and audits is essential to maintain public trust. LTA has stated that OBUs comply with global standards and can withstand Singapore's climate when installed correctly. However, reports of freezing displays, battery drain and unreliable gantry detection persist, underscoring the need for ongoing vigilance. Strengthening installation protocols, providing clear guidelines on mounting, and ensuring transparent oversight will bolster public confidence in the ERP 2.0 system and its safety. Ong Kok Soon
