1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

Donald Trump has announced a 50% tariff on all products from Brazil, openly admitting it is retaliation for Brazil’s prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro—its former president—who attempted a coup to stay in power after losing the 2022 election. This is not a trade policy. It is an authoritarian attack on the rule of law in another sovereign nation. Trump even issued a letter demanding that Brazil halt its prosecution of Bolsonaro. This is a blatant attempt to obstruct justice in a foreign democracy and shield an ally who tried to overturn an election. It is an outrageous abuse of power. The U.S. Court of International Trade has already ruled that Trump’s use of worldwide “reciprocal tariffs” is unconstitutional and not authorized under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). He does not have the legal authority to impose these tariffs, and even if he did, using them to undermine another country’s criminal justice system is a dangerous overreach and a threat to democratic norms everywhere. Only Congress has the power to impose tariffs. It is your duty to act. Do not allow this lawless interference in international justice to stand. Push back—loudly, immediately, and with every tool available.