Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said this Thursday, 10, that US citizens will start paying more for beef because President Donald Trump wants to protect “his corrupt friend”, in reference to former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

On her profile on the social network BlueSky, the Democrat shared a news story from the newspaper The New York Times dealing with Trump's announcement to impose a 50% tariff on products from Brazil in response to the treatment given by the Brazilian justice system to Jair Bolsonaro and decisions by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) against technology companies in the United States.

"You're about to pay more for beef not only because Trump wants to protect his corrupt friend, but also because Republicans in Congress have decided to cede their power over trade policy to him," he said.

Donald Trump announced the tariffs in a letter published this Wednesday, 9, where the Republican accuses the Brazilian Justice Department of committing political persecution against Jair Bolsonaro.

"Brazil's treatment of former President Bolsonaro, a highly respected world leader, is an international disgrace," Trump said."This trial should not be taking place. It is a witch hunt that must end IMMEDIATELY!" Trump wrote.

The 50% tariff will apply to "any and all Brazilian products shipped to the United States," regardless of other sectoral tariffs in effect. Goods redirected by third parties to avoid the tariff will also be subject to the tax. Trump added that Brazilian companies can avoid the measure by switching to production within the United States.

Brazilian beef producers reacted poorly to the decision. The Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (Abiec) said on Wednesday that the measure represents an"obstacle to international trade" and threatens global food security.

"Any tariff increase on Brazilian products negatively impacts the beef production sector," the entity said in a statement, adding that"geopolitical issues should not become barriers to global supply."

In the specific case of beef, the US was the second main destination for Brazilian exports in the first half of this year, with 181.5 thousand tons and US$ 1.04 billion in revenue.

To contain the damage caused by the surtax, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers' Party) stated that he will apply the Reciprocity Law , approved by Congress this year. Lula said he greatly respects Brazil's relationship with the United States, but stated that, if there is no way, he will have to establish reciprocity:"If you tax here, we'll tax there."