Head of Trump’s economic council circles around questions on 50 percent tariff on Brazil

As the White House faces mounting scrutiny over proposed tariffs, the director of the National Economic Council struggled Sunday to explain why President Donald Trump has proposed a 50 percent tariff on Brazil.

In an interview with ABC’s Jonathan Karl on “This Week,” Kevin Hassett appeared to argue the tariffs on Brazil are necessary not because of a trade deficit but rather to send a message about Trump’s displeasure with the country’s treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Hassett initially said Trump is “trying to put America first.” But when Karl pressed Hassett on how punishing a country that has had a largely successful trading partnership with the U.S. is prioritizing America, Hassett said that Brazil’s “actions have shocked the president at times.”

“With most countries, it’s really about us getting the tariffs in order, and I think this tariff on Brazil is higher because of the president’s frustration with Bolsonaro,” Hassett said.

Bolsonaro, whom Trump has referred to as a friend, is standing trial for allegedly attempting to overturn his 2022 election loss. Like Trump, Bolsonaro claimed his election was rigged, and his supporters staged an insurrection perceived to be similar to that of Jan. 6. Prosecutors allege the former president planned to potentially assassinate Brazil’s current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Trump has been open about his support for Bolsonaro and called Bolsonaro’s legal tribulations a “witch hunt.”

Karl on Sunday requested Hassett explain “on what authority does the president have to impose tariffs on a country because he doesn’t like what that country’s judicial system is handling a specific case?”

Hassett once again deflected, citing national security risks. But when Karl demanded to know how Bolsonaro’s case was a national security risk for America, Hassett said there were also other reasons for the tariffs.

Hassett did not directly name what those issues are, but he said the tariffs are part of “an overall strategy.”

“If you don’t have an overall strategy for this, then there’ll be trans-shipping and everything else, and you won’t achieve your objectives,” Hassett said.

Brazil is among several countries facing new tariffs set to go in effect Aug. 1. Its leading exports to the United States include coffee, orange juice and beef.