WASHINGTON/NEW YORK/SAO PAULO - US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday afternoon that tariffs of 50 percent will be charged on goods imported from Brazil, effective on Aug 1.

Trump posted a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Truth Social, his social media platform, claiming that "Due in part to Brazil's insidious attacks on Free Elections, and the fundamental Free Speech Rights of Americans ... we will charge Brazil a Tariff of 50% on any and all Brazilian products sent into the United States."

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Wednesday any unilateral measure to raise tariffs will be responded to in light of Brazil's economic reciprocity law.

"In view of the public statement by US President Donald Trump presented on a social network Wednesday afternoon, it is important to emphasize: Brazil is a sovereign country with independent institutions that will not accept being tutored by anyone," Lula said on X.

"It is false information, in the case of the commercial relationship between Brazil and the United States, regarding the alleged American deficit. Statistics from the United States government itself confirm a surplus of that country in the trade of goods and services with Brazil in the amount of 410 billion dollars over the last 15 years," he said.

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Brazilian Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin said Wednesday it was "unjust" for Trump to impose tariffs of 50 percent on Brazilian products.

"I see no reason to increase tariffs on Brazil. Brazil is not a problem for the United States; it is important to reiterate that. The United States has a trade deficit, but a surplus with Brazil. Of the 10 products they most export to us, eight have a zero (tariff) rate, paying no taxes," Alckmin said in statements.

On Wednesday, Trump sent letters to the leaders of eight countries, notifying them that tariffs ranging from 20 percent to 50 percent will be charged on goods imported from these countries starting Aug 1.

Trump first posted letters to seven countries - the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Iraq, Libya and Sri Lanka - on Truth Social.

According to the letters, 30 percent tariffs will be imposed on Libya, Iraq, Algeria and Sri Lanka, 25 percent on Brunei and Moldova, and 20 percent on the Philippines.

READ MORE: ASEAN members prepare to negotiate with US in bid to head off tariffs

Together with the new tariffs on 14 countries announced on Monday, the 50 percent tariffs on Brazil is the highest so far in this round. 

Tariff on copper

Also on Wednesday, Trump said the 50 percent tariff on copper, which he announced earlier this week, will start on Aug 1.

"I am announcing a 50% TARIFF on Copper, effective August 1, 2025, after receiving a robust NATIONAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

As "the second most used material by the Department of Defense", Trump said, copper is "necessary" for semiconductors, aircraft, ships, ammunition, data centers, lithium-ion batteries, radar systems, missile defense systems and hypersonic weapons.

"America will, once again, build a DOMINANT Copper Industry," Trump said.

The United States imports nearly half of the copper it uses, most of which comes from Chile, said the CNBC, citing data from the US Geological Survey.

At a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Trump announced a new tariff of 50 percent on copper, adding that he is still planning tariffs on select industries, including drugs, semiconductors and metals.

READ MORE: Trump says he plans to double steel, aluminum tariffs to 50%

In early June, Trump raised the tariff on steel and aluminum imports from 25 percent to 50 percent.