Lula’s Polls Get a Boost as Trump’s Tariffs Spark Brazil’s National Pride—But for How Long?
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva saw his approval climb to 42–43% in July 2025, his first notable gain in a year.
This change came after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on all Brazilian exports to the United States, a move that hits Brazil’s key industries hard.
The U.S. is Brazil’s second-largest buyer, so many businesses and workers now face economic uncertainty. Trump justified the tariffs by calling the legal case against former President Jair Bolsonaro a “witch hunt.”
These tariffs immediately impacted sectors including beef and fruit, with exporters forced to redirect thousands of tons of products and brace for possible losses.
Lula responded forcefully, accusing Bolsonaro supporters of being “traitors” for siding with Trump’s criticisms and called for defending Brazil’s sovereignty.
This stance resonated widely with the public. About two-thirds of Brazilians knew about the tariffs, and most believed the American measures were unjust. The sense of national unity led to a six-point improvement in Lula’s approval-disapproval gap.
Still, many citizens remain worried about lasting economic damage. Critics question whether Lula’s handling of diplomacy played a role in provoking these tariffs.
The underlying story is that taking a strong stand against Trump gave Lula a short-term rally in public opinion by appealing to national pride. Yet, the government now faces the real challenge of protecting Brazil’s economy and jobs.
While this episode showed Brazil can unite under pressure, it is not clear such unity—or Lula’s improved standing—will endure.
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This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief