Trump's Brazil tariffs are 'grotesquely illegal,' says Nobel Prize-winning economist
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US Launches Trade Investigation of Brazil
Above: Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative, following trade talks in London on June 9, 2025. Image copyright: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Brazil's discriminatory trade practices have gone unchecked for too long, harming American businesses and workers across multiple sectors. Brazil unfairly targets U.S. social media companies for refusing to censor political speech while offering preferential tariffs to other trading partners. This investigation is necessary to protect American innovation and ensure fair market access.
Anti-Trump narrative
Trump's trade investigation represents political interference disguised as economic policy, targeting Brazil primarily over Bolsonaro's legal troubles rather than legitimate trade concerns. Brazil produces many of the inputs that American businesses rely on, and this interference will end up strengthening support for Lula rather than weakening it while also hurting the U.S. economy.
Editor's Note
This story currently has limited reporting from right-wing sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.