Kassab about Eduardo Bolsonaro’s defense to US tariffs: ‘totally inadequate’

PSD national president Gilberto Kassab criticized federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) for defending 50% rates imposed by the United States government to Brazilian products. For the leader of the acronym, the posture of Jair Bosonaro’s son (PL) is “totally inadequate” and a “big mistake”. Kassab’s assessment was made during an interview with Band’s free canal, which aired on Sunday night (10).

“I think Eduardo Bolsonaro’s big mistake has been to put himself in solidarity with the tariff. This for a Brazilian and a federal deputy is totally inappropriate,” says Kassab. “When he doesn’t align with those who defend the interests of Brazil, it’s a very big mistake.”

Eduardo has lived in the United States since the beginning of the year, and claims to work with foreign authorities to press the judiciary and the Brazilian government to reverse the trial of the coup criminal action, in which his father is a defendant for attempted coup after the 2022 elections.

Kassab also criticized the use of Magnitsky Law to try to pressure Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) at the trial. For the PSD leader, the sanction is “a very powerful weapon that was not made for it.”

When asked about Bolsonaro’s house arrest for breach of precautionary measures, Kassab says he is afraid to generate new retaliation from the United States. The leader also mentioned the threats of the US embassy to Moraes and his ‘allies’.

Last Thursday (7), the agency replied a message from the Undersecretary of US Public Diplomacy, Darren Beattie claiming to be “monitoring the situation closely” and left a message for those who “support or facilitate” the conduct of the magistrate. “They are warned,” says the publication on X (former Twitter).

“The main assistant of the US Secretary of State has arrived through the American embassy, a statement in which he makes large and serious threats. I am afraid and I think every Brazilian should have because a threat has been made,” said Kassab.

Kassab also mentions that there may be technical justifications for the placement of an electronic anklet in the former president as well as for his house arrest, but that the political environment may not be best suited for these actions against Bolsonaro at the moment.

“Talking to constitutionalists on the subject, they say there are commas in the constitution that justify this anklet, but there are commas in politics – and I say – they do not justify,” he said in the interview.

The PSD president also commented on the occupation of the House table by opposition deputies this week. “The occupation of the table in an inappropriate way contributes nothing to improve the bad image of our legislature. This is creating a removal of society, politics, which is very bad,” he criticized.

Elections 2026

The PSD leader spoke in the interview about the electoral scenarios next year. Kassab estimates that the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), is a possible, and unique, center-right candidate in the 2026 presidential election.

In the view of former Minister and Secretary of Government and Institutional Relations of the State of São Paulo, Tarcisio may be a pre-candidate if there is a favorable scenario politically.

“Tarcisio is very well rated in São Paulo. For him to set aside a probable reelection, it is because of a very favorable situation for him to be elected president of the Republic and also because of a very expressive call of Brazilian leaders in the field of politics, business, cultural…” he said.

“This happening, and there is this movement, it will be practically the only candidate of the center right. He will not present himself as a pre-candidate in a condition that arises many doubts about his election,” he added.

The governors of Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul, Ratinho Jr. and Eduardo Leite, respectively, were also cited by Kassab, as options for politicians who represent the PSD in the presidential race, but he said that “there will be no problem composing with Tarcisio, if he understands that the best for Brazil is his candidacy.”