Brazilian products are subject to a 50% tariff not because of Brazil’s trade policies, but because of Trump’s relationship with Brazil's former president.

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s defiant response to Donald Trump’s 50% tariff threat was validated Wednesday — at least in the short term — with markets and businesses breathing a collective sigh of relief at the long list of exemptions to the levies.

Trump has set a whopping 50% tariff on Brazilian goods - the highest rate levied by the US on a country thus far.