Informist, Thursday, Jul. 10, 2025

NEW DELHI – The US will impose a 50% tariff on goods imported from Brazil starting Aug. 1, President Donald Trump said Thursday. Trump cited Brazil's "insidious attacks on free elections" and censorship orders on US social media platforms for the levy, along with the "very unfair trade relationship" between the two countries.

Brazil is the latest country to receive Trump's tariff letter, and the 50% levy is the highest announced so far. Trump has shared tariff letters with 22 countries so far, including Brazil. On Wednesday, the US president announced reciprocal tariffs on seven nations, including Sri Lanka, Libya, Iraq, Moldova, Algeria, Brunei and the Philippines.

In his letter, Trump criticised the Brazilian government for its treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro, calling his trial a "witch hunt". Bolsonaro is reportedly on trial in Brazil for an alleged coup attempt against the current government.

As with other countries so far, Trump said there will be no tariffs on Brazil if the country or its companies decide to manufacture products within the US. If Brazil increases its tariffs on US goods, Washington will add that tariff rate to the 50% levy it has announced, Trump said.

In another development, Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper imports, effective Aug. 1, as part of his efforts to promote domestic mining and metal processing. The decision was made following a national security assessment, said Trump, who shared the news on social media.

"Copper is necessary for semiconductors, aircraft, ships, ammunition, data centers, lithium-ion batteries, radar systems, missile defense systems, and even, hypersonic weapons, of which we are building many," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "Copper is the second most used material by the Department of Defense! Why did our foolish (and SLEEPY!) "Leaders" decimate this important Industry?"

This move is the latest in Trump's series of tariffs, building on existing levies on steel and aluminum imports. Trump has also signalled that more sector-specific tariffs are on the horizon. Additionally, the White House is finalising country-by-country tariffs with dozens of major trade partners, set to take effect on Aug. 1. End

Reported by Shubham Rana

Edited by Ashish Shirke

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