The United States has launched an investigation into “unfair” trading practices by Brazil, escalating President Donald Trump’s spat with the world’s 10th-largest economy over issues including the criminal case against its former President Jair Bolsonaro.

A US trade probe suddenly ordered by President Donald Trump on Brazil sent shockwaves through President Luiz Inacio da Silva’s government, according to a senior Brazilian diplomat who described it as an unwarranted threat that has helped to plunge relations to their lowest point in over a century.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday slammed Donald Trump's threat to impose 50 percent tariffs on Latin America's largest economy as "unacceptable blackmail."In his speech, leftist leader Lula slammed Brazilian politicians who back Trump's policies as "traitors to the homeland.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has hit back at Donald Trump’s tariff threats, saying that his American counterpart was elected as the leader of the United States and “not to be the emperor of the world.

Brazil’s judiciary has started sweeping crackdowns on speech and political rivals. A U.S. tariff response signals the crisis has gone international.

The Office of the US Trade Representative on Tuesday opened an investigation into Brazil over its trade practices and whether they are unfairly restricting US exports to the country, a week after President Donald Trump threatened a 50% tariff on the country.

Trump launches investigation into Brazilian digital trade practices in on-going battle with Brazil over the dollar's hegemony

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Tuesday he had launched an investigation into Brazil's "unfair" trading practices, a week after President Donald Trump threatened a 50% tariff on imports from Latin America's largest economy.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman believes tariffs President Trump has threatened to impose on countries, including Mexico and Brazil, are here to stay and will cost U.S. consumers.