BRAZILIANS HAVE SET fire to effigies of US President Donald Trump in protests across several cities today, denouncing his new tariffs.

Anti-Trump protests were held in Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro after he decided to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian exports and to sanction a Brazilian judge.

Trump openly admitted he is punishing Brazil for prosecuting his political ally, ex-president Jair Bolsonaro.

Far-right politician Bolsonaro is currently on trial for plotting a coup after failing to win re-election in 2022.

Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil’s congress in January 2023, ransacking the chambers and attacking police, in scenes reminiscent of Trump supporters’ attack on the US Capitol two years before on 6 January 2021.

A Brazilian general has given evidence that the alleged plotters also wanted to assassinate leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and several other public officials.

Trump has called the trial a “witch hunt” and his Treasury Department has sanctioned Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes in response, who is the presiding judge in the coup trial of Bolsonaro. 

Trump also signed an executive order slapping 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, which is due to enter into force on August 6.

Demonstrators at the Sao Paolo protest today Alamy Alamy

Moraes, in a rare public address, said today he pledged to “continue working” despite Trump’s efforts to punish him.

“This Court, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Federal Police will not bow to these threats,” he said during a court session.

And he vowed the court would remain “absolutely uncompromising in defending national sovereignty and its commitment to democracy”.

© AFP 2025