Brazilian presidential hopeful Flavio Bolsonaro has cautioned US officials that imposing new tariffs on Brazilian goods would inadvertently strengthen his political rival, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, ahead of the country's October election.
The warning, delivered during meetings in Washington, underscores the delicate intersection of trade policy and domestic politics in South America's largest economy.
Bolsonaro, a senator and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, argued that economic pain from US trade barriers would rally voters around the incumbent, thereby undermining the conservative campaign's chances.
This development follows a formal request by Bolsonaro's camp for the Trump administration to postpone the implementation of proposed tariffs until after the presidential vote.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from President Lula, who has condemned the attempt to delay trade measures as politically motivated interference.
For investors, the friction highlights the risks of policy uncertainty surrounding Brazil's export sectors, particularly industrial metals and agriculture.