Brazil has formally lodged a strong protest against the U.S. decision to impose 50% tariffs on all Brazilian exports starting August 1, calling the move unjustified and economically harmful.

In a joint letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira expressed “indignation” over the tariffs announced by President Donald Trump on July 9.

“The Brazilian government expresses its indignation at the July 9 announcement,” the letter stated, emphasizing that the decision threatens vital sectors in both economies and could damage over two centuries of cooperative bilateral relations.

The statement, issued by Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, warned that trade has long been a cornerstone of prosperity between the two largest economies in the Americas and should not be undermined.

The protest comes amid rising public anger in Brazil. A survey by consulting firm Quaest, conducted from July 10 to 14 across 120 municipalities, found that 72% of Brazilians oppose Trump’s rationale, which cited alleged political persecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Seventy-nine percent expressed concern that the tariffs would negatively affect their lives or families. Meanwhile, 53% supported President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s call for reciprocal tariffs, with his approval rating rising from 40% to 43% during the dispute.

In response, U.S. Trade Representative Greer announced an investigation into Brazil’s trade practices, specifically targeting digital commerce and electronic payments, which Washington claims are discriminatory against U.S. businesses.

The tariff escalation has triggered fears of a broader trade conflict between the two nations, with economic and political consequences looming.