Flavio Bolsonaro’s US tariff hearing draws Lula government repudiation

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro attended a public hearing held by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington to discuss a proposed 25 % tariff – dubbed the “tarifaço” – on a range of Brazilian exports. In his remarks, Bolsonaro, a pre‑candidate for the 2026 presidential election, urged the United States to postpone the measure until after Brazil’s October vote, arguing that its implementation would benefit President Lula’s rivals. The Brazilian government publicly condemned his participation, labeling it “treason to the nation” and an “electoral maneuver,” and noted that he was the only Brazilian speaker who did not oppose the tariffs. Over 70 other stakeholders – including exporters of iron, footwear, natural stone and the Confederation of National Industry – argued against the tariffs, warning of higher production costs in the United States. The USTR investigation, launched under Section 301, also covers digital trade, the Pix payment system, intellectual‑property enforcement, ethanol market access and illegal deforestation. A final decision on the tariffs is scheduled for 15 July, with possible exemptions for products such as coffee, beef, aircraft and chemicals. The episode has intensified domestic political controversy, drawing criticism from other presidential hopefuls such as Ronaldo Caiado, who called Bolsonaro’s proposal a “populist, electoral stunt.”