Washington: President Donald Trump has imposed significant tariffs on Brazil and sanctions against the judge presiding over the trial of Jair Bolsonaro, the former Brazilian president accused of attempting a coup. The move is seen as a direct response to what Trump describes as a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro, a far-right ally of the former U.S. president.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Trump announced a 50 percent tariff increase on Brazilian goods and sanctions against Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Moraes is overseeing the trial of Bolsonaro, who faces charges related to a coup attempt following his defeat in the 2022 elections. The sanctions and tariffs are said to be politically motivated, marking a deviation from traditional U.S. trade policy with Brazil, which had a trade surplus of $284 million last year.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has condemned Trump's actions, emphasizing the protection of Brazilian sovereignty. The tariffs, unlike other global sanctions, are explicitly political and challenge long-standing economic ties between the two nations. Moraes, a central figure in curbing disinformation during the 2022 elections, has clashed with Bolsonaro and his supporters, leading to accusations of judicial overreach.
The White House justified the tariffs by citing Brazil's alleged violations of human rights and actions detrimental to U.S. interests. While the new tariffs will be effective in seven days, exemptions have been granted for key Brazilian exports like planes and certain agricultural and metal products. The U.S. Treasury's concurrent sanctions on Moraes further escalate tensions, with Brazil's Attorney General Jorge Messias labeling them as "arbitrary" and "unjustifiable."
Bolsonaro, facing up to 40 years in prison, allegedly plotted to arrest or assassinate political rivals, including President Lula. Despite international pressure, Brazil has refused to drop the charges, and Trump's intervention appears to have bolstered Lula's domestic support.
Human Rights Watch criticized the U.S. actions as undermining judicial independence, while U.S. officials defend the sanctions as a response to perceived human rights abuses by Moraes. The Brazilian judiciary, led by Foreign Minister Mauro Viera, remains firm against external influences.
Bolsonaro's son, Eduardo, praised the U.S. for taking what he views as a stand for justice against Moraes, who has been accused by Bolsonaro supporters of authoritarianism. The U.S. sanctions, derived from the Magnitsky Act, target individuals accused of corruption or human rights violations, freezing their U.S.-based assets and restricting travel.