‘Brazil will not accept any tutelage’: Lula vs Trump as US imposes 50% tariffs

In light of the public statement made by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media on the afternoon of Wednesday (9), it is important to highlight the following:

Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage.

The judicial…

— Lula (@LulaOficial) July 9, 2025

He further pushed back against Trump’s claims of a US trade deficit with Brazil, citing US government statistics that show a surplus of $410 billion in trade of goods and services over the past 15 years.

“The claim regarding a US trade deficit in its commercial relationship with Brazil is inaccurate. Statistics from the US government itself show a surplus of $410 billion in the trade of goods and services with Brazil over the past 15 years. Therefore, any unilateral tariff increases will be addressed in accordance with Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law. Sovereignty, respect and the unwavering defense of the interests of the Brazilian people are the values that guide our relationship with the world,” Lula added.

Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Brazil, demands Bolsonaro’s trial end

The diplomatic relations between the US and Brazil hit an all time low after Trump slapped a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian goods in support of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial for allegedly plotting a coup to stop Lula from taking office in 2023.

In the letter posted on Truth Social, the US president announced that the 50 per cent tariff is linked to Brazil’s treatment of Bolsonaro, and accused Brasília of “attacks” on US tech companies.

Trump was involved in a public spat with Lula earlier this week over the legal proceedings against the former Brazilian president, calling it a “witch hunt”.

“I knew and dealt with former President Jair Bolsonaro, and respected him greatly, as did most other Leaders of Countries. The way that Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a highly respected leader throughout the world during his term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace. This trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end immediately,” the letter stated.

“Due in part to Brazil’s insidious attacks on free elections, and the fundamental Free Speech Rights of Americans (as lately illustrated by the Brazilian Supreme Court, which has issued hundreds of SECRET and UNLAWFUL Censorship Orders to US Social Media platforms, threatening them with Millions of Dollars in Fines and Eviction from the Brazilian Social Media market), starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Brazil a tariff of 50% on any and all Brazilian products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs. Goods transshipped to evade this 50% tariff will be subject to that higher tariff,” it further said.