A US trade probe suddenly ordered by President Donald Trump on Brazil sent shockwaves through President Luiz Inacio da Silva’s government, according to a senior Brazilian diplomat who described it as an unwarranted threat that has helped to plunge relations to their lowest point in over a century.

Following Trump’s 50% tariff hike on Brazilian goods, a decree creates fast-track process for countermeasures against countries targeting Brazilian interests.

Brazil is urgently responding to U.S. President Trump's new 50% tariffs on Brazilian exports. President Lula convened a cabinet meeting to address the issue, while emphasizing diplomatic solutions. Economic and political tensions are heightened as market impacts are already visible in certain sectors,

It shows that personal grudges rather than simple economics are a driving force in the U.S. leader’s use of tariffs.