Brazilian president Luiz Inacio 'Lula' da Silva called his cabinet in for consultations on Thursday as Brazil scrambles its response to US tariffs imposed the day before in connection to the trial of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro.

US President Donald Trump announced the 50% tariff hike on Brazil on Wednesday, saying a US "national security" levy on copper would begin in August.

Trump explained in a letter addressed to Lula that the treatment of his far-right ally Jair Bolsonaro was an "international disgrace."

"This Trial should not be taking place," Trump wrote in the letter posted on his Truth Social platform. "It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY."

The US is Brazil's second largest trading partner after China, while the South American nation is a major seller of coffee, orange juice, sugar, beef and ethanol to the US, among other products.

Trump tariffs 'unsustainable'

Finance Minister Fernando Haddad told reporters on Thursday that Brazilian diplomacy "has always been available to the American government to seek a solution of greater partnership and greater understanding, as we have always done."  

"I don't believe this situation will continue," Haddad said, calling the tariffs announced by Trump on Wednesday "unsustainable."

What is the case against Bolsonaro?

Former president Bolsonaro is currently facing Brazil's justice system over accusations that he organized a coup after his narrow 2022 presidential election loss to Lula.

Trump faced similar criminal charges related to the storming of the US Capitol by his supporters on January 6, 2021, and for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election after losing to Joe Biden. 

Brazil's Attorney General Paulo Gonet Branco brought the charges in February, accusing Bolsonaro of spearheading a criminal organization that sought to hack the country's electronic voting system. 

The charges also allege that Bolsonaro was involved in a plot to kill Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.  

Bolsonaro, who  is hoping to run for president in the 2026 election despite being banned from elected office until 2030, has said the accusations against him amount to political persecution.

Haddad criticized Bolsonaro and Brazil's far-right for perpetuating claims of legal persecution Bolsonaro and seeking Trump's support against the country's national interest.

"This blow against Brazil, against national sovereignty, was orchestrated by extremist forces within the country," Haddad said. 

"Even the far right will have to admit sooner or later that it shot itself in the foot," he added.

In his statement, Lula defended Brazil's legal system, saying the “proceedings against those who planned the coup d'etat is a competence of the Brazilian judiciary and is not subject to interference or threats that harm the independence of national institutions."

Edited by: Wesley Rahn