Trump mugs coffee drinkers, then caves again

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 12.25.25

Brazil supplies 32% of our imported coffee and 27% of our imported beef. After Trump slapped a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports in July, coffee and beef prices hit all-time highs.

Trump falsely claimed that the U.S. had “unsustainable Trade Deficits” with Brazil. In fact, we’ve had a trade surplus with Brazil since 2007 — last year, it totaled $6.8 billion! Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) called out Trump’s abuse of power. “The impetus behind [the tariff] appears to be a disagreement with a judicial proceeding,” Tillis said.

Tillis said that because Trump imposed the tariffs to pressure Brazil into halting the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Trump’s political ally. Trump said so explicitly when he imposed them: “The way Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a Highly Respected Leader throughout the World, including by the United States, is an international disgrace. This Trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!”

Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo, boasts of his family’s friendship with Trump. He bragged that he got Trump to impose the tariffs to help his father, then declared “Mission Accomplished.”

Trump’s attempt to bully Brazil failed. Bolsonaro was convicted and received a 27-year sentence for staging a coup to remain in power after his 2022 election loss. Trump responded, “That’s very much like they tried to do with me.” They’re birds of a feather — both incited insurrections.

Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rand Paul (R-KY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Tillis finally had enough of Trump’s tariffs, which needlessly inflated prices and made life harder for Americans. On Oct. 28, they voted with Democrats to end Trump’s senseless Brazil tariffs.

After inflicting months of unnecessary inflation, Trump lived up to his “TACO” nickname (“Trump Always Chickens Out”) when he backed down and removed the tariffs. Brazil called it a “historic victory,” but the real winner was you — the American consumer.

Larry Widman

Leland