Head of Trump's Economic Council Avoids Questions on Brazil

Monday, July 14, 2025

Kevin Hassett appeared to deflect questions on how the new tariff will benefit America despite the U.S. having a trade surplus with the South American country.

Posted by LampLighter at 05:32 PM | 7 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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President Donald Trump singled out Brazil for import taxes of 50% on Wednesday for its treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, showing that personal grudges rather than simple economics are a driving force in the U.S. leader's use of tariffs.

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-- ABC News 4 - WCIV (@abcnews4.com) Jul 9, 2025 at 9:44 PM

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... As the White House faces mounting scrutiny over proposed tariffs, the director of the National Economic Council struggled Sunday to explain why President Donald Trump has proposed a 50 percent tariff on Brazil.

In an interview with ABC's Jonathan Karl on "This Week," Kevin Hassett appeared to argue the tariffs on Brazil are necessary not because of a trade deficit but rather to send a message about Trump's displeasure with the country's treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro. ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-07-13 09:08 PM | Reply

@#1 ... In an interview with ABC's Jonathan Karl on "This Week," Kevin Hassett appeared to argue the tariffs on Brazil are necessary not because of a trade deficit but rather to send a message about Trump's displeasure with the country's treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro. ...

Wait, what?

The 50% tariff on Brazil is not because of a trade deficit with Brazil (we have a trade surplus with Brazil), or moving manufacturing to the US (the only US coffee is Kona from Hawaii)?

But purely because he seems to want to punish Brazil for prosecuting his apparent autocratic friend for crimes that may have been committed?

So, I ave to ask, has Pres Trump been lying about his purpose behind tariffs all along?

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-07-13 09:14 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

In addition, during an interview President Dummkopf Trumpf didn't want to answer a question about why the Chinese government was buying farmland close to US military bases, saying that he has a 'great relationship' with Xi Jinping. Trumpf also lied that 'China is paying a lot in tariffs.' American consumer are the ones that pay the tariffs he installs, but his MAGA followers don't seem to understand that concept: x.com

The Dotard looked and sounded pathetic, humble-mumble-chumble spluttering out of a sun-dried prune.

#3 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-07-14 05:11 AM | Reply

The US has a trade SURPLUS with Brazil.

So this move will end up costing the US more all to assuage the fee fees of ------- for Brazil (unlike the US) holding Bolsinaro accountable for his crimes.

#4 | Posted by Nixon at 2025-07-14 08:48 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

has Pres Trump been lying

LIES

ABOUT

EVERYTHING

ALL

THE

TIME

#5 | Posted by Nixon at 2025-07-14 08:49 AM | Reply

Interesting... Bolsonaro stripped wide swaths of rainforest... clearing the land for soybean cultivation during the Trumpanzee's first stints into trade balance stupid... back in 2019...

At the time... Bolsonaro was offering a competitive solution for China during the US-China trade conflict...

Bolsonaro smelled blood in the water for US farmers.

#6 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2025-07-14 06:36 PM | Reply

Fat, lazy simpleton.

#7 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-07-14 08:37 PM | Reply