“We have until August 1,” the source said.

“The former president of the Republic should take responsibility, because he is agreeing with Trump’s taxation of Brazil. In fact, it was his son who went there to influence Trump’s mind,” Lula said.

People protest against Donald Trump’s US tariffs, at the central bus station in the Brazilian capital Brasilia. Source: AAP / Andre Borges/EPA

In a social media post, Bolsonaro said Trump’s letter announcing tariffs was received with “a sense of responsibility,” adding he respects and admires the US government.

Beyond imposing counter tariffs, the law would also allow Lula to restrict imports and investments and suspend intellectual property rights from US firms, among other measures.

How would the tariffs work?

But the tariffs could inflict pain in the US too, disrupting food prices, given Brazil’s role as a major agricultural exporter of coffee, orange juice, sugar, beef, and ethanol.