The only economic rationale mentioned in Trump’s letter, that of a deficit that his country is said to face with Brazil, is belied by the numbers. The U.S. has sustained consistent surpluses in trade with the South American nation for close to two decades now.

Donald Trump's economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, struggled to justify the rationale for “punishing” new tariffs on imports from Brazil during an appearance on ABC’s This Week.Host Jonathan Karl questioned the rationale behind the new 50 percent tax on Brazilian goods,