US Lifts Sanctions on Brazilian Judge After Trump and Lula Relations Improve
According to Reuters, the United States has removed sanctions it placed on a Brazilian Supreme Court judge just a few months ago. The judge, Alexandre de Moraes, had been punished by the US for overseeing a criminal case against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, an ally of Donald Trump.
Reuters reports that the decision shows how quickly President Trump’s relationship with Brazil’s current president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has improved. The move came shortly after the US began rolling back high tariffs on Brazilian goods.
The US Treasury Department confirmed on Friday, according to Reuters, that it also lifted sanctions on Judge Moraes’ wife, Viviane Barci, and a financial institution linked to the judge’s family.
Why the Sanctions Were Imposed, Reuters Explains
As Reuters explains, the US imposed sanctions on Judge Moraes in July under the Global Magnitsky Act. The Trump administration accused him of abusing his power during the trial that led to Bolsonaro’s conviction and prison sentence for attempting to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election results.
Trump had described Bolsonaro’s trial as a “witch hunt,” Reuters notes, and claimed the Brazilian courts were being used to silence political opponents and restrict free speech.
Tensions Cool Between the US and Brazil
According to Reuters, the sanctions had badly damaged relations between Washington and Brasilia. Trump later added heavy tariffs on Brazilian exports, which increased tensions further. Some of those tariffs started to be removed last month.
President Lula welcomed the lifting of sanctions, telling Reuters that he personally raised the issue during a phone call with Trump last week. Lula said Trump asked if removing the sanctions would be good for Brazil, and he replied that it would help both Brazil and its democracy.
Judge Moraes also spoke at the same event, calling the decision a “triple win” for Brazil’s democracy, justice system and national independence, Reuters reports.
No Deal Made Behind Closed Doors, Reuters Says
A source inside Brazil’s presidency told Reuters that Brazil did not offer anything in exchange for the sanctions being lifted. The source stressed there was “no quid pro quo,” meaning no secret deal was made.
Reuters adds that Trump described his recent phone call with Lula as “great” and spoke of a newly formed partnership after months of political tension.
Bolsonaro Case Still a Major Issue
Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Brazilian lawmakers recently voted to reduce prison sentences for Bolsonaro and others convicted over anti-democratic actions after the 2022 election. The Trump administration has supported the move, calling it a positive step.
Bolsonaro’s son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, welcomed the lifting of sanctions, saying it was a strong signal that Brazil’s Senate should pass the amnesty bill. He also suggested that if the bill passes, the US could remove the remaining tariffs on Brazilian exports, according to Reuters.
Unique Perspective: Politics, Trade and Power
This story, as Reuters highlights, shows how quickly global politics can change when trade, power and personal relationships collide. What began as a legal dispute over democracy has now turned into a diplomatic reset between two major countries. The lifting of sanctions suggests that economic interests and political alliances can outweigh earlier accusations, raising questions about how justice, democracy and diplomacy intersect on the global stage.
For many observers, Reuters notes, this case is a reminder that international sanctions are often as much about politics as they are about principles.
Credit: Reuters