Relations between the U.S. and Brazil deteriorated after President Trump sought to halt criminal proceedings against his right-wing ally in the country, former leader Jair Bolsonaro, by imposing steep tariffs on Latin America’s biggest nation.

President Trump escalated his push to remake global trade using a letter-writing campaign - and Wednesday he focused on minor U.S. trade partners like Brunei and Moldova. Trump also threatened a massive 50% tariff on Brazil,

US President Donald Trump unveiled a new round of tariff demand letters on Wednesday, including a 50% rate on Brazil, one of the highest so far announced for the levies which are set to hit in August.

President Donald Trump posted several more letters on social media on Wednesday, setting tariff rates ranging from 20% for products from the Philippines to 30% for products from Algeria, Iraq, Sri Lanka,

"America will, once again, build a DOMINANT Copper Industry," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social media platform.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would impose a 50% tariff on imported copper and soon introduce long-threatened levies on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, broadening his trade war that has rattled markets worldwide.