Brasilia, July 8, 2026 (Lusa) - Brazil's government has expressed concern about Senator and presidential hopeful Flávio Bolsonaro's participation in a US public hearing on new tariffs on Brazilian goods and has once again suggested that his actions amount to “treason”.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Planalto Palace stated that, of the 34 Brazilians registered to speak at the hearing, “only Flávio Bolsonaro did not oppose the measures against Brazil, choosing instead to suggest they be postponed”, with a “clear” electoral motive.
According to the government, the senator “chose to legitimise the findings of an unfair investigation into Brazilian businesspeople and workers”, rather than refuting the US allegations underpinning the tariff increase.
The statement adds that Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, “did not deny that the campaign promoted by his family and their allies was at the root” of the tariff increase on Brazil.
The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also highlighted that the senator had advocated the repeal of regulations on digital platforms and stated that he is now attempting to present himself as a defender of the PIX payment system, despite having previously sought to subordinate it “to US interests”.
According to the Planalto Palace, whilst the hearing was taking place, government representatives were meeting with officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative to negotiate the withdrawal of the tariffs.
In the conclusion of the statement, the Brazilian government declared that “it is legitimate to disagree with the government”, but added that “calling on a foreign power to put pressure on one’s own country is treason”.
The reaction came after Flávio Bolsonaro addressed the public hearing organised by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) regarding an additional 25% tariff on Brazilian products, speaking in English.
The senator stated that Brazil will hold presidential elections in 90 days’ time and that an immediate decision on the tariffs would benefit the current government, in an indirect reference to Lula da Silva.
“In just 90 days, the country’s political landscape could be completely different,” and imposing a tariff now that would be difficult to reverse would reward “those responsible for the actions in question," he said.
He went on to add that “it would be the worst possible time to act”.
Flávio Bolsonaro also argued that the first tariff increase, in 2025, did not produce the results intended by the United States.
“A 25% tariff affects the entire Brazilian population, except precisely those in authority responsible for these decisions,” he declared.
Despite his criticism, the senator called on the United States to refrain from proceeding with the new tariffs and defended the Brazilian instant payment system.
“Do not impose tariffs on Brazil; preserve the success of PIX and cancel this measure so that we can negotiate,” he said.
The USTR concluded that Brazilian practices relating to PIX, digital platforms, the fight against corruption, intellectual property, access to ethanol and the fight against deforestation restrict US trade.
The Brazilian government chose not to take part in the hearing, as it considered the forum intended for the private sector, whilst continuing direct negotiations with Washington.
More than 4,100 Brazilian products could be affected if the United States adopts the new tariffs, according to calculations by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry.
The organisation estimates that the products covered represent exports worth $14.9 billion (€13 billion).
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