Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has forcefully rejected the 50 percent US tariff on Brazilian goods, denouncing it as both “political” and “illogical.” Writing in an op-ed for the New York Times, Lula stressed that while Brazil is open to negotiations that deliver mutual benefits, its democracy and sovereignty “are not on the table.” He positioned the measure as retaliation connected not to trade but to domestic political tensions, particularly following the conviction of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
The tariff was imposed by US President Donald Trump in July, who framed it as a response to what he described as a “witch hunt” against Bolsonaro. That narrative collapsed last Thursday, when a panel of Brazil’s Supreme Court justices ruled that Bolsonaro had in fact attempted a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election to Lula. The ruling was described by Lula as a “historic decision” that safeguarded Brazil’s institutions, democracy, and the rule of law. He revealed that investigations had uncovered plots to assassinate him, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and a Supreme Court justice, framing the verdict not as persecution but as a defense of national stability.
Lula also highlighted the economic incoherence of the US tariff, noting that Washington has maintained a $410 billion trade surplus with Brazil over the past fifteen years. He said that punishing Brazil under these circumstances was “not only misguided but illogical.” His remarks suggest that Brasília is preparing for further sanctions amid growing diplomatic strain. The warning signs intensified after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X that Trump’s government “will respond accordingly” to the court ruling. Brazil’s Foreign Ministry blasted Rubio’s words as an “inappropriate threat” and stressed that the judiciary had acted independently, ensuring Bolsonaro was afforded due process.
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro himself remains under house arrest in Brasília. On Sunday, he briefly left his residence under police escort for a medical procedure at DF Star hospital, where doctors removed eight skin lesions for further analysis. The 70-year-old far-right leader, already wearing an ankle monitor, had been granted a temporary release by Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Following the visit, Bolsonaro must submit a certificate of attendance to the Supreme Court, documenting the time and date of his appointments. His son Carlos Bolsonaro criticized the heavy police escort—over twenty armed officers—for turning the visit into “the biggest circus in Brazilian history.”
At the hospital, supporters of Bolsonaro greeted him with chants of “Amnesty now!”—a reference to efforts by his allies in Congress to shield him from the consequences of the coup conviction. Pro-Bolsonaro groups like Influencers of Brazil claimed they were there to provide “spiritual and psychological support.” Despite the conviction, Bolsonaro is not expected to enter prison immediately. The Supreme Court has up to 60 days to publish the ruling, after which its lawyers will have five days to file motions for clarification. They also plan to appeal both the conviction and sentence before the full court of 11 justices, though legal experts suggest the likelihood of success is slim.
