US President Donald Trump expressed surprise that a Brazilian court found former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro guilty of organizing a conspiracy involving the military.
“I followed the trial. I know Bolsonaro very well“, the head of the administration said in Washington on Thursday, answering questions from reporters on the South Lawn of the White House. “I think he was a good president of Brazil. It's absolutely incredible that this could happen“, Trump added.
“This is very similar to what they tried to do with me and failed“, the US leader stressed. He has repeatedly emphasized that the charges brought against him earlier in the United States in various cases are politically motivated. Speaking of Bolsonaro, Trump concluded: “He's a good guy, I didn't expect this to happen.“
Earlier, Trump signed an executive order that increased tariffs on imported goods and services from Brazil to 50%. The decision was made because the Brazilian government's actions pose “a threat to the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States“, the administration in Washington said. The White House noted that the tariff increase was made in connection with the trial against Bolsonaro.
On Thursday, Brazil's Federal Supreme Court found Bolsonaro guilty of organizing a conspiracy with the participation of the military to prevent the current Brazilian leader, Lula da Silva, from coming to power.