Brazilian President Links Proposed Tariffs to Election Rival

Hours after a 25% tariff proposal on Brazil, the president directed campaign allies to promote a nickname linking the measure to his October election opponent. The directive instructed local party officers and supporters to circulate the term across social media platforms.

By afternoon the phrase had begun trending on X in Brazil, accompanied by a statement labeling the challenger an enemy of the country.

The president framed the tariff proposal as a line of attack against his main challenger ahead of a contest polls indicate will be close. A person familiar with the campaign said the effort began the same day the tariff proposal was announced.