Trump accuses Brazil of harming U.S. with high tariffs
Trump accuses Brazil of harming U.S.
In a speech to supporters in Florida on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Brazil, accusing the South American nation of imposing excessively high tariffs on American products and threatening to respond with additional trade sanctions.
Brazil, along with China and India, was singled out as a country that Trump claims “wants harm” to the United States through unfair trade practices, according to Veja.
“We won’t let this happen anymore because we are going to put America first,” Trump declared, emphasizing his commitment to defending U.S. economic interests. He reiterated his fondness for the term “tariff,” describing it as one of his favorite tools for addressing trade imbalances.
“The word ‘reciprocal’ is important,” he added, signaling his administration’s intention to match tariffs imposed by other countries.
Trade Tensions Between Brazil and the U.S.
Brazil is the United States' second-largest trading partner, after China. In 2024, Brazil exported $40.3 billion worth of goods to the U.S., while importing $40.6 billion in return, resulting in a slight trade deficit of $300 million for Brazil. Despite the close economic ties, Trump has repeatedly accused Brazil of creating barriers for American businesses, labeling its tariff policies as excessively restrictive.
This is not the first time Trump has targeted Brazil over trade. Following his re-election in November, he described Brazil’s tariff policies as “excessive” and warned of retaliation. On Monday, he reiterated his position, stating, “If they want to charge us, that’s fine, but we’ll charge the same thing.”
The escalation in rhetoric underscores a growing focus on trade imbalances and protectionism as Trump seeks to fulfill his “America First” agenda, raising the prospect of further tensions between the two nations.
Meanwhile, Brazil has solidified its status as a global leader in crypto, with 26 million citizens—12% of the population—owning digital assets. This ranks the country sixth worldwide in crypto adoption, highlighting its growing impact in the sector.
