Kaine Statement on Trump’s New Taxes on Americans to Protest Anti-Corruption Efforts in Brazil

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, released the following statement after President Donald Trump pledged a 50 percent tariff on goods from Brazil in response to steps the country is taking to hold its former president accountable for attempting a coup:

“The last thing Americans want is another trade war that will raise prices and throw businesses into uncertainty—and for what? To punish Brazil for taking steps to hold President Trump’s disgraced friend accountable for trying to overthrow its government? Trump is so sensitive about his own attempted coup on January 6 that he’s willing to put deranged political grievances and his own interests over what’s best for our economy. As multiple courts have ruled, most of Trump’s tariffs are illegal and an abuse of executive authorities. Using tariffs to interfere with foreign judicial proceedings takes abuse of power to a whole new level.

“I will use all available means to block these latest job-killing tariffs, which are nothing more than a tax on American consumers.” 

###