US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, sharply escalating tensions with South America’s largest economy. In a letter posted on social media, Trump also demanded an end to the prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, calling the trial “an international disgrace.”

The move marks a significant hike from the previously announced 10% tariff and revives tariff plans Trump had floated earlier this year but paused after market backlash.

Trump accused Brazil’s government of censorship, attacks on U.S. tech firms, and suppression of free speech, including suspensions of social media accounts belonging to American platforms. He said he would order a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s digital trade practices, a step previously used to justify tariffs on China.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva responded firmly, warning that any tariff increase would be matched and rejecting all foreign interference in his country’s judiciary. “No one is above the law,” Lula declared.

Trump also voiced strong support for Bolsonaro, comparing his legal troubles to his own. Bolsonaro is currently on trial for allegedly inciting the January 2023 riots in Brasília after his election defeat. Trump and Bolsonaro previously shared close ties and a populist political style.

Trump’s letter also criticized the recent BRICS Summit in Brazil, calling the bloc “anti-American” and threatening additional tariffs on its member countries.

The tensions highlight growing friction between Trump’s protectionist agenda and Brazil’s increasingly assertive global stance under Lula. Despite the rhetoric, the U.S. ran a trade surplus with Brazil last year, complicating Trump’s justification for punitive measures.