NewsBite

Opinion

Edward Luce

Why Trump is picking on Brazil – and how it could backfire

The trade war is supposed to be about building domestic manufacturing capacity, but the US President is using tariffs for whatever takes his fancy. And boy does he fancy strongmen.

Sagging in the polls? Hurtling towards electoral oblivion? Canada’s Mark Carney, Australia’s Anthony Albanese and now Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have a fix for you. Get Donald Trump to launch a trade war on your country.

Few things rally voters around the flag quicker than a superpower assault on your bottom line. Though the Vatican is no trading entity, America’s first pontiff, Robert Francis Prevost, might also credit Trump with his election.

Loading...

Financial Times

Edward Luce is the Washington columnist and commentator for the Financial Times. He writes about American politics and the economy.

Latest In South America

Fetching latest articles

Most Viewed In World

    Original URL: https://www.afr.com/world/south-america/why-trump-is-picking-on-brazil-and-how-it-could-backfire-20250723-p5mh2z