Congress Must Respond to Trump’s Abuse of Trade Tools

Trump’s Threatened Tariffs on Brazil Are a Dangerous Abuse of U.S. Trade Power An Alarming Abuse of Trade Policy I write to urge you to publicly denounce former President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff on all Brazilian imports—an action he is pursuing not for reasons of U.S. economic interest, but to interfere in Brazil’s internal legal proceedings against his political ally, Jair Bolsonaro. This action sets an alarming precedent: using U.S. trade policy to obstruct a foreign nation’s independent judicial process. Mr. Bolsonaro faces trial for organizing a coup attempt and undermining Brazil’s democracy. Former President Trump’s open attempt to protect him by threatening Brazil’s economy is not just reckless—it is dangerous to the global rule of law and to our own national credibility. Lack of Legal Authority Even more troubling is the fact that Mr. Trump is threatening these tariffs without lawful authority. The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. United States (May 28, 2025) that he lacks the authority to impose sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. These threats are not only diplomatically damaging—they are likely illegal under U.S. law. Authoritarian Alignment and Misinformation Mr. Trump’s rhetoric in a letter to President Lula da Silva, including false claims about a trade deficit and allegations of censorship, reflects a pattern of authoritarian alignment and misinformation. He demands that Brazil’s democratic institutions shield Bolsonaro from accountability for an attempted coup. The Need for Congressional Action This moment calls for clear and public leadership. I urge you to: 1. Speak out against Trump’s proposed tariffs and foreign interference. 2. Reaffirm that U.S. trade policy must not become a political weapon. 3. Call for congressional oversight hearings into Trump’s unlawful use of tariff threats to interfere in the domestic affairs of other democracies. Silence in the face of this kind of abuse invites repetition. Please act swiftly to defend the rule of law, here and abroad.