Brazil’s president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, had just returned to his office from a meeting with Indonesia’s prime minister when the reports began blaring on TV.

President Trump's tariff threat against Brazil to protect his ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, has sparked political turmoil in the South American country.

Former President Bolsonaro made clear the humiliation of court-ordered restraints would not curb his role in global politics.