Physical Address
Indirizzo: Via Mario Greco 60, Buttigliera Alta, 10090, Torino, Italy
“Dear President Trump,
We write to express significant concerns about the clear abuse of power inherent in your recent threat to launch a trade war with Brazil. The United States and Brazil have legitimate trade issues that should be discussed and negotiated. However, your administration’s tariff threat is clearly not about that. Nor is it about a bilateral trade deficit, as the U.S. had a $7.4 billion trade surplus with Brazil in 2024 and has not had a trade deficit with Brazil since 2007.
As you explicitly state in your letter to Brazilian President Lula da Silva, the threat to impose 50% tariffs on all Brazilian imports and the U.S. Trade Representative’s order to initiate a Section 301 investigation under the Trade Act of 1974 are primarily aimed at forcing Brazil’s independent judiciary to halt proceedings against former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. Interfering in the legal system of another sovereign nation sets a dangerous precedent, provokes an unnecessary trade war, and puts American citizens and businesses at risk of retaliation.
Mr. Bolsonaro is a Brazilian citizen being prosecuted in Brazilian courts for alleged actions under Brazilian jurisdiction. He is accused of working to undermine the results of a democratic election in Brazil and plotting a coup. Using the full weight of the U.S. economy to interfere in these proceedings on behalf of a personal friend is a grave abuse of power, undermines U.S. influence in Brazil, and could harm our broader interests in the region. Your administration’s announcement on July 18, 2025, of visa sanctions against Brazilian judicial officials involved in Mr. Bolsonaro’s case again demonstrates your willingness to prioritize personal agendas over the interests of the American people.
Your actions would increase costs for American families and businesses. Americans import over $40 billion annually from Brazil, including nearly $2 billion in coffee. Trade between the U.S. and Brazil supports nearly 130,000 American jobs, which are at risk due to these tariff threats. Brazil has also vowed to retaliate, and you have preemptively pledged to counter-retaliate, meaning American exporters will suffer and import taxes for Americans will rise beyond the threatened 50% level.
A trade war with Brazil would also push the country closer to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), at a time when the U.S. must aggressively counter Chinese influence in Latin America. Chinese state-owned and affiliated firms are heavily investing in Brazil, including several ongoing port projects, and China State Railway Group recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to study a transcontinental railway project.
These concerns are not unique to Brazil. Across Latin America, the PRC is working to expand its influence through its Belt and Road Initiative. We are concerned that your actions to undermine an independent judiciary will only heighten skepticism about U.S. influence across the region and lend greater credibility to PRC authorities and state-backed firms in promoting their agenda. The same trend is occurring in East and Southeast Asia.
The United States’ primary goals in Latin America must be to strengthen mutually beneficial economic ties, promote free and fair democratic elections, and counter the PRC’s influence. We urge you to reconsider your actions and prioritize the economic interests of Americans who seek predictability—not another trade war.
Sincerely”