‘Classic tinpot dictator’: Trump exports his assault on democracy to Brazil

<p>US president seems to be weaponizing tariffs to punish Brazil for its coup trial against his ally Bolsonaro</p><p>Over the past six months, Donald Trump has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/mar/22/trump-administration-authoritarianism">accused of rapidly dragging the largest democracy in the Americas towards authoritarianism</a>. Now, the US president seems bent on undermining the region’s second largest democracy too.</p><p>Since early July, Trump has launched an extraordinary attack on Brazil’s institutions, slapping 50% tariffs on imports from the South American country and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/30/trump-sanctions-brazil-judge-bolsonaro-trial">sanctions on a supreme court judge</a> – partly in retribution for what he called the political persecution of his ally, Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly masterminding a failed coup.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/31/trump-brazil-democracy">Continue reading...</a>