Overview

• The 50 percent tariff, ordered July 30 by President Trump, cites Jair Bolsonaro’s prosecution and what the White House calls online censorship by Brazil’s government and Supreme Court.
• Lula wrote that the measures are “illogical” and lack economic rationale, framing them as political retaliation rather than standard trade policy.
• He said Brazil is open to negotiating mutually beneficial trade arrangements but stressed that the country’s democracy and sovereignty are not on the table.
• Lula noted a reported $410 billion U.S. surplus in trade and services with Brazil over the past 15 years and said most U.S. exports enter Brazil duty-free.
• Reports indicate Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau told Brazilian business leaders the tariffs respond in part to social media regulation, and media accounts link the levies to recent increases in coffee prices.