US EditionBrazil's Lula Calls Tariff Threat 'Unacceptable Blackmail'
FEDERAL DISTRICT, BRAZIL, JUL 17 – Trump threatens 50% tariffs starting August 1 to pressure Brazil’s government to drop charges against Bolsonaro accused of leading a coup attempt after 2022 election, escalating tensions.
- On July 17, 2025, President Donald Trump posted a letter on Truth Social, supporting Bolsonaro, denouncing Lula’s judicial actions, and threatening 50% tariffs from August 1.
- Amid Bolsonaro’s trial for an alleged coup attempt, Trump called for an end to Bolsonaro’s trial, describing it as politically motivated unjust attacks rooted in coup allegations.
- In his letter, Trump said `I sincerely hope` Brazil stops attacking opponents and ends its `ridiculous censorship regime`, adding `I was very concerned about the attacks on free speech`, and called Bolsonaro `a highly respected leader` targeted by a `witch hunt`.
- In Brasília, Lula denounced Trump's threat as 'unacceptable blackmail' and said `Not a gringo will tell this president what to do`, noting the tariffs are an aggressive maneuver to pressure his administration and back Bolsonaro.
- With presidential elections next year, Lula could highlight sovereignty as the dispute unfolds ahead of 2026 and tariffs stay until Bolsonaro's charges are dropped.
57 Articles
57 Articles
Flávio Bolsonaro to Trump: Drop Tariffs, Punish Individuals Instead
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro urged U.S. President Donald Trump to remove a new 50% tariff on Brazilian imports and, instead, target individual Brazilian officials with sanctions. Flávio, the son of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, made his appeal after the U.S. announced new tariffs set to start August 1, a move that will hit key Brazilian exports […]
US-Brazil row over Bolsonaro worsens
The US and Brazil were locked in an escalating row over Brasília’s prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro for an alleged coup attempt. In a letter published Thursday, US President Donald Trump lamented the “terrible treatment” Bolsonaro was receiving as part of his trial: Trump has labeled the case a “witch hunt” and threatened Brazil with punitive tariffs. Meanwhile, in an address to the nation, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva slamm…
Brazil's Lula says Trump tariffs 'unacceptable blackmail'
Brazil's leftist leader has condemned Donald Trump over the US threat to impose tariffs on Brazilian goods. Trump says the tariffs are punishment for legal proceedings against conservative ex-President Jair Bolsonaro.
Donald Trump goes after him. In a letter he himself makes public, he goes back to the side of Brazil's ex-president, Bolsonaro, who is on trial.
Washington.- U.S. President Donald Trump insisted this Thursday that the government of his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva "changes course" and "stops attacking" his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, in the last attack of a crisis that does not abate. Trump maintains an epistolary confrontation with Lula to show solidarity with Bolsonaro, the former Brazilian ultra-right president accused of attempted coup d'état to stay in power when …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Right
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
