Donald Trump writes to Jair Bolsonaro, says he is watching Brazil 'closely' - CNBC

Donald Trump writes to Jair Bolsonaro, says he is watching Brazil 'closely' - CNBC

US President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, expressing concern over the latter's alleged treatment and the ongoing legal proceedings against him. Trump warned that Brazil could face tariffs if it does not change its policies, including its handling of Bolsonaro's trial and alleged attacks on free speech.

Trump's letter, posted on social media, described Bolsonaro as a victim of "terrible treatment" and demanded that his trial end immediately. The US president also criticized Brazil's censorship regime and the attacks on political opponents, stating that he has "strongly voiced [his] disapproval" both publicly and through tariff policy [2].

Trump's warning comes as part of a series of letters he has sent to various countries, threatening new tariff rates on their goods imported to the US. The latest recipients include the Philippines, Moldova, Brunei, Algeria, Libya, and Iraq, with tariff rates going up to 30% [1]. Brazil, however, was not among the countries targeted by the higher so-called reciprocal tariffs in April, and it runs a trade deficit with the US.

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has responded to Trump's tariff threat, stating that the tariffs have no "logic" and that Brazil will not take instructions from the US. Lula criticized Trump's heavy-handed approach to economic relations with other countries and his attempts to dictate terms to Brazil on matters of trade and domestic judicial proceedings [3].

The US has also opened a trade investigation into Brazil, citing concerns such as Brazilian tariffs, digital trade policies, illegal deforestation, intellectual property violations, ethanol market access, and "anti-corruption interference." The investigation will examine whether Brazil's trade practices are unfair and could potentially lead to responsive action, including tariffs [4].

Trump's threats and blunt use of US economic leverage have sparked anger in Latin America, where the US has a long history of heavy-handed involvement in the domestic affairs of various nations. The US president's actions have drawn criticism from foreign leaders who see them as attempts to dictate terms to other countries.

References:
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/09/economy/tariff-letters-trump
[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-17/trump-writes-to-bolsonaro-says-he-s-watching-brazil-closely
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/17/brazils-lula-slams-trump-says-there-is-no-logic-to-us-tariff-threat
[4] https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/foreign-policy/3473182/trump-administration-brazil-trade-investigation-witch-hunt-jair-bolsonaro/