Donald Trump's economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, struggled to justify the rationale for “punishing” new tariffs on imports from Brazil during an appearance on ABC’s This Week.Host Jonathan Karl questioned the rationale behind the new 50 percent tax on Brazilian goods,

That is the highest levy announced so far in Trump’s letters to world leaders this week, and comes after he wrote a lengthy message supporting the former Brazilian leader.

One of the highest tariffs threatened by President Trump so far is against Brazil, with the president citing a criminal prosecution against Jair Bolsonaro.

Tensions between the United States and Brazil have suddenly burst open. Brazil’s president promised to reciprocate against President Trump’s tariffs.

Tarcísio de Freitas, governor of São Paulo state and a former infrastructure minister under Bolsonaro, told reporters Thursday that the U.S. tariffs would have a negative impact on the economy and for important industrial exporters from his state, including Brazilian plane maker Embraer.

Kevin Hassett appeared to deflect questions on how the new tariff will benefit America despite the U.S. having a trade surplus with the South American country.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he planned to hit Brazil with a 50% tariff, in part because of the treatment of its former president Jair Bolsonaro, his political ally.

President Donald Trump sent out a slew of letters Wednesday to some global trading partners, advising them of tariff levels as high as 50% for their exports to the United States.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday informed seven more nations about new tariffs, singling out Brazil with a 50% duty because of what he called the "disgrace" of how former President Jair Bolsonaro has been treated and an "unfair trade relationship.

Brazil’s President forcefully rebuked Trump after the U.S. leader called the prosecution of Lula’s predecessor, Bolsonaro, a “witch hunt” and hiked tariffs on the Latin American nation.

President Trump says Brazil’s former right-wing leader, President Bolsonaro, who is standing trial in Brazil for allegedly plotting to assassinate his left-wing successor, is an honest man. Mr. Trump is threatening Brazil with a 50 percent tariff due to Mr.

President Donald Trump announced a blanket 50% tariff on imports from Brazil, citing his anger over the country's treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro. Trump's tariffs would be imposed using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act,