Trump’s Tariff Threat Backfires, Strengthening Brazil’s Lula While Weakening Bolsonaro

In a striking example of how heavy-handed economic tactics can backfire, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose steep tariffs on Brazilian imports has not bolstered his political ally Jair Bolsonaro as intended. Instead, it has invigorated Bolsonaro's rival, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, while exacerbating Bolsonaro’s legal woes. When Economic Pressure Becomes Political Poison Trump’s strategy aimed to punish Brazil for what he described as a “witch hunt” trial against Bolsonaro by threatening a 50% import tax. But this move ignored a fundamental principle: sovereign nations resist foreign interference in their domestic affairs. The very act...