Popular movements in Brazil will hold nationwide protests on Friday (Aug. 1st) against the 50% tariff imposed by Donald Trump’s administration on Brazilian products. Demonstrations are planned in public squares and outside U.S. diplomatic offices.
On Wednesday (July 30), Trump signed the order to begin collecting the tariffs, leaving out some strategic sectors.
Protests in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília will take place outside U.S. consulates and the embassy, while in Salvador, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte, Manaus and Recife, rallies will occur in central city locations.
The initiative, titled “Quem manda no Brasil é o povo brasileiro! Contra o tarifaço de Trump” (loosely translated as “Who runs Brazil is the Brazilian people! Against Trump’s tariffs on Brazilian products”), is organized by the National Students Union (UNE), together with Brazil Popular and People Without Fear – two national coalitions of social movements, labor unions, and activist organizations.
The tariffs, which takes effect on August 6, will increase the cost of Brazilian exports to the United States by 50%, except for a few exempted sectors. It mainly affects agribusiness and technology, and is widely seen as an attempt by Trump – coordinated with Brazilian congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro – to pressure Brazil’s judiciary system and shield former president Jair Bolsonaro from accountability over the failed coup attempt following the 2022 election defeat.
Analysts point out that the tariffs are equivalent to political sanctions aimed at extracting concessions, such as influence over Brazil’s financial system, resistance to the regulation of big tech companies and access to rare earth minerals – essential for the tech industry.
Confirmed protests for Friday, August 1
São Paulo (SP): 10:00 a.m., U.S. Consulate
Salvador (BA): 3:00 p.m., Campo Grande
Rio de Janeiro (RJ): 6:00 p.m., U.S. Consulate
Brasília (DF): 9:00 a.m., U.S. Embassy
Porto Alegre (RS): 6:00 p.m., Esquina Democrática
Belo Horizonte (MG): 5:00 p.m., Praça Sete
Manaus (AM): 4:00 p.m., Praça da Polícia / Palacete Provincial, with a march to Praça do BK
Recife (PE): 3:30 p.m., Praça do Derby
