Trump twinned his threat to Brazil with the promise of a 50% tariff on copper, which would strike at the economic lifeline of two more Southern neighbors, Chile and Peru. The president capped his week by setting a 30% tariff on Mexican imports as of Aug. 1.

The Trump administration launched a trade investigation against Brazil on Tuesday, just one week after blasting Brasília for its treatment of ally former President Jair Bolsonaro. The trade investigation ostensibly regards unfair trade practices.

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Approval for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government rose for the first time this year, a new poll showed on Wednesday, after his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil starting in August.