'Servile to the elites': Eduardo Bolsonaro raises Tarcísio's tone for dialogue with the US on tariff hikes

The responses to Donald Trump's "tariff hike" are sparking new crises within the Bolsonarist movement. On Tuesday the 15th, federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) doubled down on his attacks on São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans).

The day before, Eduardo had already called Tarcísio's initiative to seek out US authorities to try to circumvent the tariff hike "disrespectful." This time, the deputy on leave went further, saying the governor is not interested in supporting São Paulo companies.

Dear Governor @tarcisiogdf, if you were looking at any part of our industry or commerce, you would be advocating for the end of the exceptional regime that will destroy the Brazilian economy and our freedoms. But how, For you, servile subservience to the elites is synonymous with defending national interests, I don't expect you to understand “, he wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The post about Jair Bolsonaro's 'son 03' was accompanied by a quote from Tarcísio's interview in response to Eduardo's earlier allegation of "disrespect." "No problem. Right now, I'm looking at São Paulo, its industrial sector, its aeronautical industry, its machinery and equipment industry, our agribusiness, our entrepreneurs and workers," Tarcísio told CNN Brasil .

After trying to blame President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and clear Bolsonaro's name for the Trumpist announcement, Tarcísio found himself on a tightrope : if he maintained his stance of defending tariffs and remaining loyal to Bolsonaro, he would harm São Paulo's industry, the strongest in the country, which is at risk of losses if Trump goes ahead with his plans.

On Tuesday the 15th, Tarcísio will receive Gabriel Escobar, the Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Brazil, at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes – with whom he has already met . Business leaders have been invited to the meeting. Without a Trump-appointed ambassador to the country, Escobar is formally the highest-ranking figure at the embassy today. At the same time, federal government representatives are meeting with business leaders in Brasília.

Given Bolsonaro's ineligibility, Tarcísio is considered a far-right (and right-wing) candidate to face Lula in the 2026 presidential elections. Bolsonaro's political circle, however, has not openly discussed this possibility, and has not ruled out the possibility of someone from the former president's own family – such as Eduardo himself – being a candidate.