Tariffs Hit Brazil

Peter Zeihan 7 min

Threatening Brazil's rule of law is the dumbest thing to do for US interests. The current situation represents a strategic failure despite previous progress.

  • Jair Bolsonaro
  • Donald Trump
  • Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Chapters

  1. 0:54

    The New Tariff on Brazil

    A new 50% tariff is imposed on Brazil despite previous low rates. The tariff targets Brazil's prosecution of former president Bolsonaro.

  2. 3:44

    Brazil's Economic History and China

    China stole Brazilian technology through joint ventures, destroying local industry.

  3. 5:58

    The Rule of Law Crisis

    Brazil struggles to maintain state security after transitioning from military rule. Attacking Brazil's rule of law undermines US goals for immigration and drug control.

Key points

  • 0:54

    A new 50% tariff is going into place against Brazil.

  • 0:54

    The Brazilian government is prosecuting former president Bolsonaro.

  • 3:44

    China stole Brazilian technology through joint ventures and drove local producers out of business.

  • 5:58

    Brazil has some of the highest crime rates in the world due to weak state enforcement.

  • 5:58

    US foreign policy has broadly succeeded in encouraging rule of law across Latin America.

  • 7:14

    The current situation represents a strategic failure despite previous progress.

Who and where

People · 3

  • Drawing of Donald Trump

    Donald Trump 9

    President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)

    Photo 1

  • Drawing of Jair Bolsonaro

    Jair Bolsonaro 6

    38th President of the Federative Republic of Brazil (2019–2023)

    Photo 2

  • Drawing of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

    Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva 2

    president of Brazil from 2003 to 2011 and since 2023

    Photo 3

1. Photo: Daniel Torok, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons · Wikidata · redrawn in our house style (Donald Trump)

2. Photo: Palácio do Planalto from Brasilia, Brasil, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Wikidata · redrawn in our house style (Jair Bolsonaro)

3. Photo: Palácio do Planalto from Brasilia, Brasil, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Wikidata · redrawn in our house style (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva)

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