President Trump is seeking to intervene in a political fight roiling Brazil, demanding the country drop its prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro or face a 50 percent tariff on imports to the U.S.

“The way that Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a Highly Respected Leader throughout the World during his Term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace,” Trump wrote in a letter to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “This Trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!”

Trump cited several other reasons for imposing the tariff, including rulings from the country’s Supreme Court on American social media companies and what he claimed was a trade deficit with Brazil. The U.S. in fact has a trade surplus with Brazil.

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But Trump’s particular focus on Bolsonaro, who is facing criminal charges over an alleged coup following claims of a stolen election, is a particularly pointed step in a months-long series of tariff threats that have sought to twist the arms of foreign........

© The Hill