Trump Tariffs Spark Backlash Over US Interference in Domestic Affairs 

With US tariffs set to take effect on Aug. 1, Brazil and other countries expressed concern this week that Washington’s trade policies are increasingly being weaponized to interfere in their domestic affairs, raising fears of global economic retaliation and diplomatic rifts, Reuters reported. 

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced 50 percent tariffs on a broad range of Brazilian goods, though key sectors such as aircraft, fertilizer, and energy were spared. 

US officials framed the tariffs as retaliation for the so-called “witch hunt” against ex-President Jair Bolsonaro. The tariff announcement came as Washington also unveiled sanctions against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes over his prosecution of Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup. 

In response, Brazil condemned the measures as politically motivated, “unjustifiable” and “unacceptable.”  

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defended de Moraes and warned of possible retaliation. Even so, he signaled an openness to negotiate with the US.  

The Brazil tariffs came amid new tensions between Canada and the United States over Palestinian statehood, Euronews noted. 

On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa would recognize the state of Palestine at the United Nations in September, following similar announcements from France and the United Kingdom earlier this week.  

While Israel condemned the move, Trump warned that Ottawa’s decision would make a future US-Canada trade deal “very hard.”  

On Thursday, the US president raised tariffs on imports from Canada that are not covered by the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement by 35 percent, the Guardian added.  

The Trump administration said the decision came after Ottawa had failed to stop the flow of fentanyl and other drugs across the US border. Carney called the move “disappointing” and insisted that Canada accounted for just one percent of US fentanyl imports.   

Economists warned that the tariffs would have far-reaching economic consequences in Canada. 

Observers said the tariffs placed on Canada and the European Union could generate pushback from the US’s long-standing allies, prompting them to search for alternatives to American leadership on the world stage as well as new trading relationships to bypass the US. 

The furor follows a deal made earlier this week between the US and the EU that will impose a 15 percent tariff on most imports from the EU – one of the US’s top trading partners. The rate is half of what Trump had previously threatened but drew grumbles from European leaders. 

Meanwhile, Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on goods from India along with a separate penalty tied to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil, the Associated Press wrote. 

Though Trump called India “our friend,” he said its tariffs on US products were too high and criticized its defense ties with Moscow. India’s trade ministry claimed it was reviewing the announcement but reiterated its commitment to reaching a “fair and balanced” bilateral trade deal.  

Analysts warned that the tariffs could hurt India’s competitive position in the US market and complicate its aim of doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.