U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Brazil with 50% tariffs this month, venting his anger over the country's prosecution of his political ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, but the move may provide ammunition to plaintiffs aiming to bring down the centerpiece of the White House's tariff agenda.

China offered to strengthen economic ties with Brazil on Monday and defend what it called "fairness" in global trade, days before sweeping US tariffs on Brazilian exports are set to take effect. The move added another layer of diplomatic complications to a fast-deepening trade rift between BrasIlia and Washington.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says that his government has not been successful in trying to negotiate the 50% tariff on Brazilian imports that U.S.