Donald Trump imposes 50 percent tariff on India’s close ally, Tariff to take effect from THIS date, US president says…
Washington: The United States President Donald Trump has announced a 50 percent tariff on Brazil, the founding member of BRICS. Trump also critised the ongoing trial against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and termed it a witch hunt and an international disgrace. The US president, in a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said that the trial should not be taking place. He also stated that Washington would begin investigating Brazil’s trade practices. Jair Bolsonaro, the former Brazilian president is facing criminal charges for allegedly plotting a coup d’etat.
In the letter, Trump wrote, “The way Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro during and after his term is an international disgrace. This trial should not be happening. It is a witch hunt that must be stopped immediately.”
Trump said that he knows former Brazilian President Bolsonaro and has worked with him. He added that he held great respect for Bolsonaro, and that many other world leaders viewed him similarly during his tenure.
Brazil Doing Terrible Thing: US President Donald Trump
“Brazil is doing a terrible thing on their treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro,” Trump said.
“I have watched, as has the World, as they have done nothing but come after him, day after day, night after night, month after month, year after year! He is not guilty of anything, except having fought for THE PEOPLE.”
Trump went on to compare his own legal troubles to Bolsonaro’s. Both leaders have been accused of trying to undermine their country’s elections, following losses.
Brazil had already voiced its discontent earlier
It is important to note that Donald Trump’s latest tariff threat comes soon after Brazil announced that it had summoned the US chargé d’affaires over a diplomatic dispute stemming from Trump’s earlier criticism of the trial against Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro is accused of orchestrating a coup attempt to overthrow Lula, a plot that ultimately failed due to lack of support from the military. He has denied all such allegations.
Tariff on Brazil to Take Effect from August 1
In a letter, Donald Trump has informed that a 50 percent US tariff on Brazilian goods will take effect from August 1. This aligns with the deadline faced by dozens of other economies. Trump has begun sending letters to trade partners this week as he increases pressure for more deals, but he has focused on those partners with whom the US has a significant trade deficit.
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