By slapping a 50% tariff on Brazil for its criminal investigation into Bolsonaro, the Trump administration is brazenly putting its fingers on the scales of a key foreign election

Brazil's government on Friday downplayed the impact of the 50% tariff U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose on imports from that country, as leaders from both nations expressed a cautious willingness to negotiate in the future.

The exchange with the South American nation suggests the U.S. president also sees trade as a tool to influence other policies of foreign countries.