The president typically ties his tariffs to trade policy, but he hit Brazilian products with the highest rate of any country's goods largely due to politics.

The US also imposed a 50% tariff on Brazil after Trump accused it of "attacks" on US companies and of conducting a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday slapped a 50% tariff on most Brazilian goods to fight what he has called a "witch hunt" against former President Jair Bolsonaro, but softened the blow by excluding sectors such as aircraft,