US President, Donald J Trump has slapped a 50% tariff on goods coming from Brazil. He's said that's due to the prosecution of the former President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro.
What I've noticed is that critics of Trump are rushing to the defense of Brazil. Hang on though, isn't it possible that Donald Trump is correct?
I'll explain: Brazil is not exactly a bastion of free and fair elections, and its judicial system is not highly regarded either. Political candidates are assassinated, elections are stolen, and the police are corrupt. So, it is possible for the election in which Bolsonaro was standing was rigged.
Then, Bolsonaro tried to launch a coup. Brazil has a long history of coups and military rule, so it's also believable that a coup would be a response to a rigged election.
It is also possible that Trump saw all this, and has reacted. The question then needs to be asked, are tariffs an appropriate response? Well, it's one response, I suppose.
Then Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Copper imports. Copper prices shot up after the news, and people are complaining. Well yes, but copper is not an ore that is hard to find and the US has many copper mines, and further mines either sitting there unused, dormant, or undergoing permitting. This is one area where a tariff can have the effect of boosting local production and creating jobs. It's not like the rare earth elements argument, resources which are commonplace but countries like the US lack the refining or processing capacity.
As the actress said to the bishop - it's complicated.
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