Brazil's Supreme Court stands firm on Bolsonaro trial despite foreign pressure

1 of 6 | Demonstrators gathered on Friday in front of the U.S. consulate in Sao Paulo to protest the 50% tariff outlined by President Donald Trump on Brazilian exports. (AP video shot by: Thiago Mostazo)

By GABRIELA SÁ PESSOA
Updated 11:19 AM CDT, August 1, 2025

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said Friday that the country’s top court will not yield to sanctions or foreign pressure over the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro, which is expected to take place later this year.

De Moraes, who is overseeing the criminal case against Bolsonaro, did not mention the United States or Donald Trump in his remarks, but tensions between the U.S. and Brazil escalated this week.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against De Moraes for alleged suppression of freedom of expression, and Trump signed an executive order imposing a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods.

The U.S. government cited what it described as the “political persecution” of Bolsonaro as the reason for its actions. The former president is facing trial for allegedly orchestrating a plot to remain in power after losing the 2022 election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The proceedings are in their final stage and, according to De Moraes, are expected to conclude by the end of the year.

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https://apnews.com/article/brazil-supreme-court-de-moraes-tariffs-trump-bolsonaro-trial-27bea1adc4a46ba63e9a60d00ed4ffc5