The Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Brazil

Donald John Trump, born June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, is an American businessman, media personality, and politician. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 1968 with a degree in economics. In 1971, he took over his family’s real estate business, renaming it the Trump Organization, through which he expanded into building and managing skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Trump gained widespread fame as the host of the reality TV show *The Apprentice* from 2004 to 2015, which helped establish his public persona as a successful entrepreneur. Trump entered politics as a Republican and was elected the 45th president of the United States, serving from 2017 to 2021. His presidency was marked by significant policy actions including tax cuts, deregulation, the appointment of three Supreme Court justices, renegotiation of trade agreements (notably replacing NAFTA with the USMCA), and a focus on immigration control including border wall expansion. He withdrew the U.S. from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, and engaged in a trade war with China. His administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was criticized for downplaying the virus’s severity. Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives—first in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction, and again in 2021 for incitement of insurrection—but was acquitted by the Senate both times. After losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, Trump challenged the results, culminating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He remains a central figure in American politics, having won the 2024 presidential election and returned as the 47th president in 2025, continuing to promote policies aimed at economic growth, border security, and military strength[1][2][3][4].

Jair Messias Bolsonaro, born on March 21, 1955, in Glicério, São Paulo, Brazil, is a Brazilian politician and former military officer who served as the 38th president of Brazil from 2019 to 2023. He began his career in the Brazilian Army in 1973 and graduated from the Military Academy of Agulhas Negras in 1977. After leaving the military, Bolsonaro entered politics, serving as a member of the Chamber of Deputies representing Rio de Janeiro from 1991 until his presidential election in 2018[1][2][6]. Bolsonaro is known for his right-wing nationalist and populist positions, with strong support for conservative social policies and admiration for Brazil’s former military dictatorship (1964–1985). His presidency marked a shift from over a decade of leftist leadership, emphasizing pro-market economic policies, agricultural development, and deregulation, often at the expense of environmental protections, particularly in the Amazon rainforest. His handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was widely criticized for downplaying the virus’s severity[2][3]. During the 2018 presidential campaign, Bolsonaro survived a stabbing attack that required emergency surgery but continued his campaign successfully, winning the runoff election against Fernando Haddad. He narrowly lost re-election in 2022, obtaining about 49% of the vote[3][6]. Following his 2022 election defeat, Bolsonaro was implicated in efforts to undermine Brazil’s democratic institutions. In September 2025, the Supreme Federal Court convicted him for planning a military coup attempt, sentencing him to over 27 years in prison[1][6]. Despite controversies and legal troubles, Bolsonaro remains a significant figure in Brazilian politics with a dedicated conservative base. His presidency and post-presidential events reflect ongoing political polarization in Brazil[1][2][3][6].