A major confrontation is brewing between the United States and Brazil, driven by the return of Donald Trump to the White House and the deepening legal troubles of his close Brazilian ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro. As Brazil’s judiciary pursues charges against the former president for attempting to overturn the 2022 election, Trump has retaliated with threats of steep tariffs and revoked visas for Brazilian Supreme Court justices. Meanwhile, the U.S. has launched an investigation into Brazil’s trade practices and electronic payment services, further straining relations. In this episode, we speak with Chris Garman, managing director for the Americas at the Eurasia Group, to unpack what’s at stake for both countries, why tensions are escalating, and what a way forward might look like.
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Guest:
Christopher Garman is managing director for the Americas, Eurasia Group
Host:
Brian Winter is the contributing editor for Americas Quarterly
If you’d like to know more:
REACTION: Trump Hits Brazil with 50% Tariff by AQ editors
A Resilient Brazilian Economy Is Under Diverging Pressures by Alessandra Ribeiro
AQ Podcast | BRICS and China’s Influence in Latin America
Brazil’s Low-Key Operator by Luiza Franco
Bolsonaro and the Prisoner’s Dilemma by Thomas Traumann
