Trump administration designates Brazilian drug gangs as terrorist organizations
Trump administration designates two Brazilian drug groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
Event / Economy
US-Brazil Trade Tariffs
The US government announced 25% tariffs on Brazilian products effective July 22, 2026, citing concerns about digital economy regulations and intellectual property protection. Brazil rejected the tariffs as illegal and promised retaliatory measures. The dispute has become a political issue in Brazil's October presidential election.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 16 Jul, 11:31 UTC
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What happened
Trump administration designates two Brazilian drug-trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations
The Trump administration classified Brazil's biggest drug-trafficking groups, First Command Capital and Red Command, as foreign terrorist organizations. This occurred shortly after Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro and his brother Eduardo visited U.S. officials in Washington, including President Trump, in late May. The Brazilian government under President Lula opposes this classification.
Former President Jair Bolsonaro serving 27-year sentence for attempted coup
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year prison sentence at home for an attempted coup. He has long made unsubstantiated claims about the reliability of Brazil's electronic voting system, which has been used for a quarter-century.
Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro confirmed as presidential candidate for October elections
Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro was confirmed as a presidential candidate by his Liberal Party in São Paulo. He will bid for the presidency against incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the October elections. Bolsonaro has family ties with the Trump administration.
Trump administration imposes up to 37.5% tariff on Brazilian exports
The Trump administration imposed tariffs of up to 37.5% on thousands of Brazilian exports, which came into force on Friday. The U.S. government claims Brazil has unfair competition practices and fails to stop forced labor practices. The Brazilian government rejects these accusations, viewing them as an attempt to influence the presidential election in favor of Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro.
Brazilian government accuses U.S. officials of seeking to undermine October elections
The Brazilian government claimed that the two denied U.S. State Department officials wanted to cast doubt on the upcoming October elections in Brazil. The U.S. State Department denied this insinuation, calling it a baseless lie and characterizing the visit as routine.
Brazil denies visas to two U.S. State Department officials
Brazil's Foreign Ministry denied visas to Riley M. Barnes, an assistant secretary, and Samuel Samson, a deputy assistant, from the U.S. State Department. The officials had requested visas on July 20 and were denied on Friday. They had planned to travel to Brasília July 27-30 to meet government officials, religious leaders and others about election integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression.
US previously removed agricultural tariffs on Brazil due to inflation concerns
Due to inflationary impacts of tariffs, the US removed tariffs targeting certain Brazilian agricultural products including beef, coffee, and tomatoes.
Trump administration makes tariffs central economic policy tool
President Trump has made tariffs a primary economic weapon, imposing a series of surcharges on products entering the country. Previously, he imposed tariffs up to 50% on certain Brazilian products in retaliation for the conviction of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro on coup attempt charges, which Trump considered politically motivated.
US investigation cites Brazil's digital economy regulations as unfair trade barriers
The US investigation, launched in 2025, focused on anticorruption measures, intellectual property protection, and illegal deforestation. However, the tariffs also address Brazilian court decisions on digital economy issues, particularly requirements for social media platforms to remove certain political content and financial penalties for non-compliance, which Washington views as unfair trade barriers.
US accuses Brazil of preferential tariffs on Mexican and Indian products
Washington accuses Brazil of applying preferential tariffs on Mexican and Indian products to the detriment of American products, constituting a disadvantage inconsistent with international obligations.
US imposes 25% tariffs on Brazilian products
The US government announced 25% tariffs on a range of Brazilian products following an investigation by the US Trade Representative (USTR) based on 1974 trade law. The tariffs will take effect on July 22, 2026. Brazil becomes the first country targeted by these new tariffs. Certain goods are exempted, including products not produced or grown naturally in the US, such as oranges, energy products, and aeronautical parts.
Brazil rejects US tariffs and promises retaliatory measures
Brazil's government immediately rejected the 25% US tariffs as illegal and promised reciprocal measures under legislation passed by Parliament last year. Brazil disputes Washington's allegations of unfair trade practices.
US Supreme Court previously invalidated portion of Trump tariffs as unconstitutional
In late February, the US Supreme Court struck down a significant portion of tariffs imposed by President Trump, determining he had made an unconstitutional interpretation of trade law to justify them. Sectoral tariffs on automobiles, steel, aluminum, and copper were not affected by this ruling.
Brazilian presidential candidates debate US tariffs ahead of October election
US tariffs have become a political issue in Brazil ahead of the October presidential election. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized opposition candidate Flavio Bolsonaro for allegedly asking the US to delay tariff implementation until after the election. Bolsonaro attended a public USTR hearing in early July and claimed new tariffs would benefit Lula's reelection campaign.
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2 alternative perspectives
Brazil blocks US diplomats as tariff tensions escalate sharply
Brazil blocks U.S. diplomats over alleged election interference amid escalating tariffs.
Supreme Court precedent complicates Trump tariff strategy against Brazil
Prior Supreme Court ruling invalidating Trump tariffs as unconstitutional threatens current Brazil tariff action.
Brazil's election candidates clash over US tariff response strategy
Brazil's election candidates divide on responding to US tariffs as October voting approaches.
US imposes 25% tariffs on Brazilian goods amid trade dispute
US imposes 25% tariffs on Brazil over digital economy rules and accused preferential trade practices.