Trump sends letter to Bolsonaro and criticizes treatment given to the former president in Brazil
United States President Donald Trump sent a letter to former President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday (17) in which he expressed concern about what he called the “terrible treatment” that the Brazilian would be receiving from a political system that, according to the US president, acts unfairly.
The letter was published by Trump in his social truth account:
Bolsonaro is a defendant in the Federal Supreme Court (STF) accused of orchestrating an attempted coup d’état that culminated in the acts of January 8, 2023.
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Trump says Bolsonaro is a “respected and strong” leader, noting that “he is not surprised by his leadership in election polls.”
In the letter, the US president also said that he has publicly expressed his disapproval of Bolsonaro treatment, including threatening rates as a pressure.
On the 9th, Trump announced that the United States will impose a 50% rate on imports in Brazil, in part as retaliation for the current prosecution against the former president, from August 1.
In addition, Trump asked the Brazilian government to change his stance, suspending attacks on political opponents and ending what he called the “ridiculous censorship regime.”
He finalizes the message stating that he will closely follow the political developments in Brazil, reinforcing his support to the former Brazilian president amid the controversies surrounding his current situation.
Read the full letter in Portuguese:
To the honorable
Jair Messias Bolsonaro
38th President of the Federative Republic of Brazil
Brasilia
Dear Mr. Bolsonaro:
I have seen the terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unfair system that has turned against you. This judgment should end immediately! I am not surprised to see him leading in the polls; You were a highly respected and strong leader who served well to your country.
I share your commitment to hear the voice of the people and I am very concerned about attacks on freedom of expression – both in Brazil and in the United States – coming from the present government. I have strongly expressed my disapproval, both publicly and through our tariff policy. It is my sincere hope that the Government of Brazil will change its way, stop attacking political opponents and end up with its ridiculous regime of censorship. I will be watching closely.
Yours sincerely,
Donald J. Trump
President of the United States of America
“Emperor” x “Leader of the Free World”
The letter is sent on the same day that White House spokesman Karoline Leavitt responded to criticism by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) to the US stance on the tariff war climbing against Brazil.
In an interview with journalist Christiane Amanpour, from CNN Internationalthe Brazilian president said he seeks autonomy in trade relations and that the US cannot act as an imperial power. “Trump was not elected to be the emperor of the world,” said Lula.
According to Leavitt, President Donald Trump “is not trying to be the emperor of the world,” but to exercise his authority as leader of global power.
The spokesman defended Trump’s performance, stating that his leadership caused a “big change throughout the globe” and reinforced the American influence. “He is the leader of the free world,” said the spokesman.
