MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Flávio Bolsonaro urges Washington to delay Brazil tariffs until after October vote

In his remarks, Bolsonaro argued that imposing the tariff now would hand a political victory to the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the leading right-wing presidential hopeful, asked Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday to postpone until after the October elections a 25% tariff that the United States is considering imposing on Brazilian goods. He made the request during a public hearing before the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington.

 

The levy is part of an investigation under Section 301 of US trade law, opened over Brazil's alleged unfair practices, including illegal deforestation and the instant-payment system Pix, which Washington regards as unfair competition for credit cards, most of them American. Brasília rejects those accusations. The measure, which would exempt products such as beef, coffee, rare earths and aircraft parts, is due to be decided before July 15.

In his remarks, Bolsonaro argued that imposing the tariff now would hand a political victory to the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. In a submission to the USTR, he said Brazil holds general elections in October and that the landscape shaping any negotiated solution would be redefined within about ninety days. On Pix, he said it was not a problem but a solution, and recalled that it was created during the term of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The episode is unfolding amid an electoral contest. Lula, who is seeking reelection, has accused the senator of helping trigger the tariff threat, which Bolsonaro denies. A survey by the firm Quaest released last month showed a divided public: 47% sided with Lula's version and 35% with the senator's. The tariffs Trump imposed on Brazil in 2025 — in retaliation for the trial of Jair Bolsonaro, which he called a “witch hunt” — had boosted Lula in the polls, while the former president's camp was blamed for promoting the measure.

There is little sign the effort is working. Responding to an earlier letter from the senator, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “substantial differences” remained over the issues Washington cites to justify the tariffs. Bolsonaro's trip is part of a broader strategy by his family to win backing from the Trump administration, which last year included efforts to seek White House intervention in the trial of Jair Bolsonaro over his attempt to overturn his 2022 election defeat, for which he was convicted.

The Liberty Party, the Bolsonaros' political group, will hold the convention to choose its presidential candidate on July 15. Flávio, the former president's eldest son, is the favorite to head the ticket.