Ronaldo Caiado condemns Flávio Bolsonaro’s call to postpone US tariffs as treasonous

Presidential pre‑candidate Ronaldo Caiado (PSD) said on 7 July that Senator Flávio Bolsonaro’s proposal to ask the United States to delay a new 25% tariff on Brazilian exports until after the October election was “inacceptable” and amounted to “conspiring against the economy”. Caiado warned that the act could be classified as treason, noting that similar statutes exist in other democracies, and said he would be ready to sign a bill defining the crime if elected.

Caiado also criticized the Bolsonaro family’s close ties to former President Donald Trump, arguing that their association with the so‑called “tariff‑ço” harmed Brazil’s sovereignty. He linked the tariffs to a recent rise in President Lula’s poll numbers, claiming the episode helped the incumbent “renascer”.

PSD vice‑presidential candidate Gilberto Kassab echoed the criticism, describing Flávio’s letters to the U.S. Trade Representative as “strange” and detrimental to the Bolsonaro camp. Kassab said the family’s attempt to influence Trump back‑fired and that the tariffs gave Lula political advantage. The debate took place at a Confederation of National Commerce (CNC) event in Brasília and touched on Brazil’s antidumping legislation and the need for a stronger stance in international trade negotiations.