President Donald Trump has issued sanctions targeting Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the prosecution of his ally, former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. Simultaneously, Trump announced 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports to pressure Brazil over the trial. The measures sparked strong condemnation from President Lula and exposed deepening tensions over US interference in Brazil’s judicial sovereignty.
Indeed, Trump’s tariff threat, set to take effect August 1, has sparked a sharp response from Lula, who vowed retaliatory measures. The dispute is further inflamed by Trump’s backing of Bolsonaro, accused of plotting to block Lula’s 2023 inauguration.
With no end in sight to the quarrel and the August deadline approaching, what are the issues at play here, and how much is at stake? Click through the gallery for a better understanding of the reasons behind this very public trade war.