The tensions that Brazil and the United States maintain have increased in the last hours after Donald Trump has announced the imposition of 50% tariffs and the Carioca country has counteratacious with the double call of the US Business Manager. These climbs are framed within the trial that Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro will face for, allegedly, lead a failed attempt against President Lula da Silva after the 2022 elections.
Trump’s determinations are no coincidence, since it has been weating for days. Last Monday he posted a message on his social networks in favor of the ultra -right and ally leader during his first termIn fact, it was his only support in South America. This Wednesday took another step and announced the commercial measures, because as you understand, Bolsonaro is being “Victim of a witch hunt”. “It is an international shame. This trial should not be happening, it is a witch hunt that must end immediately!”
In the same way, he has defended the application of these measures referring to assumptions “illegal” and “secrets” of the Supreme Court; to the elimination of profiles responsible for spreading bulos in favor of the Ultra Alliance and according to Trump, because the commercial relationship is favorable to Brazil, when it is clearly the other way around. To top it off, Trump has warned Lula: “If for any reason you decide to increase your rates, whatever the chosen value, it will be added to 50% that we will apply.”
Brazil’s response
After the actions carried out by the American president, Lula Da Silva called an emergency meeting with his hard core in the Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, to prepare an answer that has been double: both political, and diplomatic.
First, Lula has issued a note in which he has Cold point by point the reasons why Trump has decided to impose 50% of tariffs To Brazilian products, as well as warned that it will promote countermeasures in case the rates are completed. He also assured that the judicial process against Bolsonaro and his band, among which are high -ranking ex -military and former ministers “It is exclusive responsibility for Brazilian justice And, therefore, it is not subject to any type of interference or threat that violates independence “of the powers.
Double call to the United States Business Manager
In the diplomatic section, the Carioca Executive has convened up to twice to the business manager of the American embassy, Gabriel Escobarwho takes command of the delegation in the absence of the ambassador, to express his discomfort. The emissary has been attended by the Secretary for North America of the Foreign Ministry, María Luisa Escorel, as sources from the EFE agency have been able to.
In the first meeting, Escorel has transmitted to Escobar his “discomfort” by a letter released by the United States in which it is stated that “Jair Bolsonaro and his family have been strong members of the United States” and? “The political persecution against him, his family and his followers is shameful and disrespectful the democratic traditions of Brazil”. Likewise, Escorel has described the declaration of “undue interference” and has asserted that “It does not fit the United States to demonstrate on internal matters” that only compete with the Justice of Brazil.
Hours later, Escobar has been summoned by Escorel. This time to announce that “Brazil returned the letter” for being “offensive” and containing “falsehoods” and “factual errors” on the bilateral commercial relationship.
For their part, Brazilian businessmen have asked the governments of both countries to Reduction of tensions and negotiation. Last year, Brazil exported to the United States 40,368 million dollars in Brazilian products, 12% of exports in the country. The products that were most marketed were oil, coffee, steel and steel products – which had already been taxed by Trump -Cellulosa, wooden paste and airplanes.
Since last April 2, Liberation Day, the Brazilian Executive has maintained conversations with Washington, at the technical level, to try to avoid or limit, the imposition of new rates, which have finally been announced on Wednesday.
