Trump imposes 50% tariff on Brazil, sets date for copper levy

President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on Wednesday targeting Brazil as he blasted the trial of the country's ex-leader, and said a US “national security” levy on copper would begin in August.

- Agence France-Presse

In a letter addressed to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Trump criticised the treatment of his right-wing ally Jair Bolsonaro as an “international disgrace.”

Bolsonaro is facing trial over accusations he plotted a coup after his narrow 2022 election loss to Lula. In response to Trump's tariff letter, Lula warned of possible reciprocation, writing on social media that “any unilateral tariff increases will be addressed in light of the Brazilian Law of Economic Reciprocity.”

Brazil said earlier on Wednesday it had summoned the US charge d'affaires over Trump's previous criticism of the Bolsonaro trial.

The 50% US tariff on Brazilian goods will take effect on August 1, Trump said in his letter, mirroring a deadline that dozens of other economies face.