By Matt Underwood Lula’s approval ticks up in Brazil after Trump threatens tariffs, poll shows – it’s a pretty wild situation, all things considered. You see, it seems like Donald Trump has this uncanny ability, almost a superpower, to inadvertently boost the popularity of political figures in other countries. And that’s exactly what appears to be happening in Brazil right now.
The catalyst for this unexpected shift seems to have been a series of events, starting with some eyebrow-raising interactions between Trump and Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Apparently, Eduardo was coordinating with Trump to influence his father’s ongoing legal troubles, which are somewhat reminiscent of Trump’s own political battles. Then, the whole Epstein scandal resurfaced, and, well, let’s just say things got interesting. Trump’s response, in his unique way, was to threaten hefty tariffs on Brazilian imports. He claimed it was because Brazil was in the process of holding Bolsonaro accountable for actions similar to his own.
This move, as you might expect, didn’t sit well with a lot of people in Brazil. The country’s economic elite, including the big business owners and exporters, tend to lean right-wing. But they value their profits even more than their political leanings. When Trump’s threats put those profits at risk, they got pretty upset. That’s when Lula, the current president, saw an opportunity. He seized the moment to position himself as the protector of the nation’s economic interests, showing the ruling class that these “Trumpian lunatics” weren’t even good for capitalism.
It’s worth remembering, by the way, that these tariff threats are often just that: threats. They’re usually more of a distraction than anything else. This one, too, is likely to be walked back eventually, minimizing any lasting damage to the Brazilian economy. In the meantime, Lula’s government is skillfully using this situation to strengthen trade ties with the EU and Asia, a move that’s undoubtedly beneficial for the country.
The likely outcome of all this is a weakening of the Bolsonaro clan. Tarcísio, who was positioning himself as the next big challenger to Lula, is probably going to struggle in the 2026 election without the backing of the elite. It’s also highly probable that, in a post-Trump world, relations between Brazil and the U.S. will stabilize in ways that truly serve both nations’ interests.
Now, here’s where things get really strange. The Brazilian media, particularly the major outlets, are playing this whole situation very close to the chest. There’s been a noticeable silence on the Epstein matter, which is odd. You have to wonder, why wouldn’t they report on this, given the attention it’s getting elsewhere? Are they avoiding it to create a narrative? The average Brazilian, whether rich or poor, is left wondering why these events are unfolding, especially since the Bolsonaros and Trump seem responsible for it all.
Trump’s actions have also had the effect of uniting the world against him, which is a bit of a marvel, really. In Brazil, this led to farmers and factory owners – many of whom are usually right-leaning – to turn against Bolsonaro and support the government during this trade spat. It’s also weakened the attacks the opposition was making against the current government. Trump’s moves, in effect, have turned the tables, creating a situation where people are rallying around their own leaders, just in response to Trump’s behavior.
The events surrounding this situation have made a significant impact on the Brazilian political landscape. Bolsonaro’s son’s efforts to lobby against the current government are now backfiring. His involvement in this entire affair could potentially cost him his mandate in congress and, possibly, render him unelectable.
This “Trump effect,” it seems, can be a powerful force. And it’s one that’s having a real impact on the political climate in Brazil. I can’t say if it is related to the Epstein scandal, but it does appear to have had some unexpected consequences, and in some instances, positive ones.