"Dear Mr. President: I met and dealt with former President Jair Bolsonaro, and I respected him very much, as I do most other leaders of countries. The way Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a leader who was highly respected around the world during his time in office, including by the United States, is an international disgrace. This trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that must end IMMEDIATELY!

In part due to Brazil’s insidious attacks on free elections and fundamental violation of Americans’ freedom of speech (as demonstrated recently by Brazil’s Supreme Court issuing hundreds of SECRET and ILLEGAL censorship orders to U.S. social media platforms, threatening them with million-dollar fines and expulsion from the Brazilian social media market), as of August 1, 2025, we will charge Brazil a 50% tariff on any and all Brazilian exports shipped to the United States, separate from all existing sectoral tariffs. Goods transshipped to try to avoid this 50% tariff will be subject to this higher tariff. In addition, we have had years to discuss our trade relationship with Brazil and have concluded that we need to move away from the long and very unfair trade relationship generated by Brazil’s tariffs and tariff and non-tariff barriers. Our relationship, unfortunately, has been far from reciprocal.

Please understand that the 50% is much less than would be necessary for us to have a level playing field in our trade with your country. And it is necessary to have this in order to correct the serious injustices of the current system. As you know, there will be no tariff if Brazil, or companies within your country, decide to build or manufacture products within the United States and, in fact, we will do everything possible to approve it quickly, professionally and routinely - in other words, in a matter of weeks. If for any reason you decide to increase your tariffs, whatever amount you choose, it will be added to the 50% we charge. Please understand that these tariffs are necessary to correct Brazil’s many years of tariffs and tariff and non-tariff barriers, which have caused these unsustainable trade deficits against the United States. This deficit is a major threat to our economy and, indeed, to our national security!

In addition, due to Brazil’s continued attacks on the digital business activities of U.S. companies, as well as other unfair trade practices, I am instructing U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to immediately initiate a Section 301 investigation of Brazil. If you wish to open your previously closed trade markets to the United States and eliminate your tariffs, non-tariff policies and trade barriers, we may be able to consider an adjustment to this letter. These tariffs can be modified, up or down, depending on the relationship with your country. You will never be disappointed by the United States of America. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter! With best wishes, I am, Yours faithfully, DONALD J. TRUMP"