Donald Trump has waded into Brazil's presidential race, describing the October contest as a major test for his political project in the Americas while his administration imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports and sanctioned a Supreme Court justice, with additional sanctions on Justice Alexander de Moraes reportedly under consideration.
The intervention comes after the campaign officially opened. A Datafolha survey of 2,058 voters shows Lula at 39% and Flávio Bolsonaro at 33% in the first round, with Lula leading 47% to 43% in a projected runoff. Both candidates held simultaneous rallies in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, where Lula emphasised education and public security while Flávio Bolsonaro pledged to classify the PCC and Comando Vermelho as terrorist organisations.
The first round is scheduled for 4 October, with a potential runoff on 25 October.