Brazil was not the only country targeted for political reasons. India faces a comparable rate for buying Russian oil. Mr Trump warned Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister, that recognising a Palestinian state would make trade negotiations “very hard”.

The 50% tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on many Brazilian products took effect Wednesday, a situation that China is already taking advantage of by opening its market to Brazilian coffee, one of the products most affected by the trade measures.

Washington recently imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports and announced sanctions against a top Brazilian judge. 'China firmly supports Brazil in safeguarding its national sovereignty and national dignity,