Brazil Stocks, Currency Reel As Trump Escalates Trade Pressure With Highest Tariff Yet Over Bolsonaro Trial

Brazilian currency and stocks declined on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump levied 50% tariffs on goods from the country, amid souring relations due to the South American country’s participation in BRICS and the trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

In a letter sent to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Trump said, “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.” The tariffs are set to take effect from Aug. 1.

The Brazilian real slipped nearly 3% against the U.S. dollar, according to a Reuters report, while the iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (EWZ), which tracks Brazilian firms, fell 2% in extended trading. U.S.-listed shares of jetmaker Embraer fell 5.6%. Retail sentiment about Embraer stock on Stocktwits was still in the ‘bullish’ territory at the time of writing.

Bolsonaro, with whom Trump shares a cordial relationship, is currently facing trial over post-election riots in the country’s capital after his election defeat. Trump dubbed the judicial proceedings a ‘witch hunt’ and asked for them to be stopped immediately.

To date, Brazil has only been subject to the 10% baseline import tariff, as the U.S. hadn’t imposed any further reciprocal tariffs on the country when Trump revealed his initial set of levies in April. The South American country is one of the few major U.S. trade partners with whom Washington, D.C., has reported a trade surplus in 2024. Brazil’s key exports to the U.S. include crude oil, semi-finished iron, and coffee.

Trump’s letter to Lula still contained similar language to his other letters to several trading partners, emphasizing the need for a ‘level playing field’ in trade. He also accused Brazil of “SECRET and UNLAWFUL Censorship Orders to U.S. Social Media platforms” and asked to open an investigation.

“Any unilateral rate hikes will be responded to using Brazil’s economic reciprocity law,” Lula said, a few hours later, before adding, “The sovereignty, respect, and intransigent defense of the Brazilian people’s interests are what guide our relations with the world.”

The two leaders had already sparred online earlier this week over the role of the BRICS group of countries, which Trump has accused of conspiring to weaken the U.S. dollar.

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