Brazilian Judge Hopeful Trump Will Lift U.S. Sanctions

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes expressed optimism that U.S. President Donald Trump might reverse sanctions placed on him, pointing to disagreements within the U.S. government.

The sanctions, along with a hefty 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, have strained relations between the U.S. and Brazil, the largest democracy in Latin America.

Moraes is leading the trial of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, accused of plotting a coup in 2022. On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Moraes, claiming he was behind unjust detentions and efforts to curb free speech.

Trump, labeling the trial a “witch hunt,” imposed tariffs to pressure Brazil into stopping Bolsonaro’s prosecution—a move many see as meddling in Brazil’s affairs.

• Brazilian Judge Alexandre de Moraes Hopes Trump Will Reverse U.S. Sanctions Amid Bolsonaro Trial
• U.S.–Brazil Tensions Rise as Trump’s Sanctions Target Justice Moraes Over Bolsonaro Coup Case
• Moraes Confident Diplomacy Can Undo Trump’s Sanctions and Tariffs on Brazil

Speaking from his Brasilia office late Tuesday, Moraes said he’s confident that diplomacy or a U.S. legal challenge could undo the sanctions. He noted that some U.S. State and Treasury Department officials privately view the sanctions as “legally inappropriate,” according to a State Department source. However, a Treasury spokesperson insisted the Trump administration is united in accusing Moraes of human rights violations.

Moraes suggested the sanctions are fueled by misinformation from Bolsonaro’s allies, including his son Eduardo, who’s under investigation in Brazil for pushing Trump’s team to act. Eduardo, now in the U.S., has openly backed the tariffs. Moraes warned that Brazilian banks following U.S. orders to freeze assets could face penalties from local courts, putting them in a tough spot.

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Unfazed, Moraes continues his routine of boxing, martial arts, and reading Henry Kissinger’s Leadership. He believes diplomatic efforts will resolve the issue and stressed that the sanctions won’t stop him from doing his job. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and legal experts have slammed the U.S. actions as an attack on Brazil’s democracy. As Bolsonaro’s trial, which could lead to a 43-year sentence, nears its end, Moraes remains steadfast.