10-07-2025
Trump's Warning Shot to Trade Partners
Donald Trump's latest threat to impose a 50% levy on Brazil over its domestic political affairs shows the rest of the world that nothing is off limits.
The US president linked the hike to the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro — a right-wing populist — over an alleged coup attempt in 2022, in a letter posted on his Truth Social account yesterday. It was the most extreme case yet of Trump weaponizing trade policy to make unrelated demands. Brazil even sells fewer goods to the US than it buys.
