‘Classic tinpot dictator’: Trump exports his assault on democracy to Brazil

US president seems to be weaponizing tariffs to punish Brazil for its coup trial against his ally Bolsonaro

Over the past six months, Donald Trump has been accused of rapidly dragging the largest democracy in the Americas towards authoritarianism. Now, the US president seems bent on undermining the region's second largest democracy too.

Since early July, Trump has launched an extraordinary attack on Brazil's institutions, slapping 50% tariffs on imports from the South American country and sanctions on a supreme court judge - partly in retribution for what he called the political persecution of his ally, Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly masterminding a failed coup.