Brazil And Seven Others Hit By Tariff Letters
Trump revealed letters to the leaders of the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Iraq, Libya and Sri Lanka on his social media platform, Truth Social. The letters stated that the Philippines would face a 20% tariff, Brunei and Moldova 25% and Libya, Iraq, Algeria and Sri Lanka 30%.
Brazil was singled out for the steepest penalty, 50% tariffs. In his letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Trump accused Brazil of 'insidious attacks on Free Elections and basic American freedoms,' calling the country's actions 'an international disgrace.'
Responding on platform X, President Lula warned that 'any unilateral action to increase tariffs will be met with reciprocal economic measures under Brazilian law.'
Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin called the move unfair. 'I see no reason to raise tariffs on Brazil. Brazil is not a problem for the United States, this must be made clear,' he said. Alckmin also noted that while the US runs a global trade deficit, it enjoys a trade surplus with Brazil.
The move escalates Trump's recent tariff spree, signalling a hardline stance on trade as his re-election campaign intensifies. Related
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