Trump Slump

Carl Boniface
16 de jul.
4 min de leitura

Atualizado: 18 de jul.

War is waged by bullies who use leverage to intimidate the weak. Physical afflictions should be used as a last straw when diplomatic reasoning cannot be met.

US President Donald Trump on last Wednesday threatened Brazil with a crippling tariff of 50% starting August 1, according to a letter he sent to the country’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

In the letter posted on Truth Social, Trump alleged Lula is undertaking a “Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!” over charges against its right-wing former president, Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro, who has bragged about his closeness with Trump, is facing trial for allegedly attempting to stage a coup against Lula. (CNN article)

Firstly, what does President Trump have to do with Brazil’s judicial system!!!

Trump’s bully tactics are affecting the livelihood of many Brazilians who in no way are involved with the Bolsonaro case whether true or not. Each country has its own judicial system, and therefore Trump is acting like a buffoon.

Only yesterday, the Brazilian Vice President, Geraldo Alkman gave a press conference together with several leaders who stated their case, in what really is to be considered as dire circumstances.

Several leaders in the agricultural sector are extremely worried and shared their concern for loads of coffee, (meat) beef, oranges, and mangos which will all be wasted. The mango harvest season which begins at the beginning of August means thousands of containers to be shipped to America will be stuck in Brazil.

There wouldn’t be the logistics for sending them to Europe, so ultimately leading to spoilage. Millions of workers would be made redundant which would cause an economical nightmare for part of the population.

Whichever way you look at it, if Trump goes ahead next month, then he really is causing war in a way because unemployment in the agricultural area will cause poverty without a doubt as millions of Brazilian workers are involved in processing coffee plantations, beef and poultry farms, and people linked to the turnaround.

Hearing the leaders’ words made me realize how serious indeed such an impact would have on those who make a living out of exporting to the United States of America.

Again, Bolsonaro is in the limelight for his outlandish ways. Talk about fanatical upset. Whether Trump likes it or not, he shouldn’t hold Brazilians responsible for Bolsonaro. If that isn’t war mongering then what is?

Jair Bolsonaro acted like a dictator with his maniacal gestures whilst in office. His flock of sheep were not worried by his posture. He even supported followers in front of government offices for military rule. He judged the Superior Court and provoked widespread rebellion towards the constitution.

He laughed at those who had different opinions. He took for granted the pandemic by not wearing a mask and telling everyone they should work when the world was uncertain of how dangerous Covid really was. Consequently, there have been over seven hundred thousand deaths in Brazil.

When Bolsonaro lost the general election in 2022, he acted like a small schoolboy by not acknowledging the new president. To the contrary, he said the election was rigged. For several days afterwards, lorry drivers went on strike and much confusion was caused. I have no doubt that Bolsonaro was involved though he denied it.

On January 1st when Lula was sworn in, Bozo as many like to call Jair, was out of the country, but even then, he had no intention of passing over the sash. Jair was popular even abroad where he would post regular social media updates of his casualness. His spellbound followers would say, ‘he is one of us’!

Then on January 8th, 2023, thousands of Bolsonaristas stormed the National Congress building whilst vandalism took place, artefacts destroyed, and a mockery was made. It was a disgrace! Bolsonaro pledged immunity because he was out of the country, but I’m guessing he was guilty of something.

Brazil´s Supreme Court later declared Bolsonaro as disqualified from running for office again until 2030. Its decision was reached with a 5-2 vote on in favor June 30th. On October 31st, 2023, former vice-presidential candidate Walter Braga Netto was also declared ineligible for abuse of political and economic power during the Independence Bicentennial celebrations.

In March 2025, the First Chamber of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) unanimously decided to charge the former president and seven allies with attempted coup which seems logical considering his argumentative strategy which has tried to change the constitution.

I’m not saying he hasn’t got a point, but Brazil has a long history of bureaucratic measures which whether liked or not, take time to change, and by unanimous support, not just BOZO and allies bullying their way forward.

Within the confines of democracy there is ultimately a way to make gradual changes that need addressing through strong diplomacy. Nevertheless, now Trump’s ally Bolsonaro is chuckling to himself. Trump has come to save the day in a dramatic soap opera stance!

All the best!

Prof. Carl Boniface