Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would impose 50% tariffs on Brazil, a dramatic increase that followed the US leader’s intense vocal criticism of the foreign and domestic policies of leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Monday (July 7) it was "irresponsible" for U.S. President Donald Trump to threaten countries with tariffs on social media, adding that other nations have the right to reciprocate.

Brazil’s President Lula said global trade should not rely only on the US dollar and urged the need for alternative systems to reduce dependence on it.