WASHINGTON, DC – After President Trump threatened Brazil – a significant U.S. trading partner that does $92 billion in trade with American companies annually and with which the U.S. has a trade surplus -- with a 50 percent tariff rate and linked the levy in large part to the prosecution of disgraced former Brazilian president and Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) strongly condemned Trump’s move, stating:

“President Trump’s chaotic tariffs are recklessly raising costs for Americans, putting the U.S. economy at risk, and sending a dangerous signal that he will put his own personal grievances ahead of America’s economic interests.  Let’s be clear: Trump is threatening to financially harm millions of Americans in order to benefit one disgraced foreign radical who is charged with corruption.  President Trump lacks the legal authority for this partisan gambit, which would damage U.S. interests and only serve to drive Brazil into the arms of adversaries like China.”