Trump challenges Lula: 50% tariffs on Brazil. "Bolsonaro's trial is an international disgrace."

The Brazilian government has returned to the U.S. Embassy the letter sent by U.S. President Donald Trump announcing 50% tariffs on goods from the South American country, deeming it "offensive" and containing "falsehoods." The U.S. Embassy's chargé d'affaires, Gabriel Escobar—head of the diplomatic mission in the ambassador's absence—met twice with the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for North America, Maria Luisa Escorel. The first meeting concerned a note published by the U.S. Embassy defending former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is being prosecuted by the Supreme Court for attempted coup d'état.

The second visit came after Trump published the letter he sent to his counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, announcing the new tariffs. On this occasion, Escorel asked the US representative to confirm the authenticity of the letter , as it was published before being delivered to Lula. The US diplomat responded affirmatively, and Escorel emphasized that "Brazil is returning the letter" because it is "offensive" and contains "falsehoods" about the South American country and "factual errors" regarding bilateral trade relations.

Trump's letter also refers to Bolsonaro : "His trial is an international disgrace." Brazil is considering countermeasures to respond to the 50% tariffs announced by Trump following the controversy over the US president's support for former leader Jair Bolsonaro, accused of a coup. "Any unilateral tariff increases will be addressed in light of Brazil's law on economic reciprocity ," Brazilian President Lula wrote on social media.