In a significant escalation of trade tensions, US President Donald Trump has threatened Brazil with 50% tariffs on their imports to the United States. The tariff threat seems like a regular part of Donald Trump’s playbook,

SAO PAULO (AP) — President Donald Trump’s threat to boost import taxes by 50% on Brazilian goods could drive up the cost of breakfast in the United States. The prices of coffee and orange juice — two staples of the American morning diet — could be severely impacted if there’s no agreement by Aug. 1.

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump imposed tariffs of between 25 per cent and 30 per cent on Algeria, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. The letters followed threats of 25 per cent tariffs on Japan and South Korea, among others, on Monday.