A US trade probe suddenly ordered by President Donald Trump on Brazil sent shockwaves through President Luiz Inacio da Silva’s government, according to a senior Brazilian diplomat who described it as an unwarranted threat that has helped to plunge relations to their lowest point in over a century.

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Approval for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government rose for the first time this year, a new poll showed on Wednesday, after his U.S. counterpart

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Thursday that he will impose retaliatory tariffs on the United States if President Donald Trump follows through on a pledge to boost import taxes by 50% over the South American country’s criminal trial against his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.

"In light of the urgency of the matter, the Brazilian government reiterates its interest in receiving comments from the U.S. government on the proposal," the statement said, suggesting there were "areas of negotiation where we could further explore mutually agreed solutions.

US-Brazil relations have been heating up for a bit, but President Donald Trump ratcheted up the temperature on the Lula administration a week ago when he announced that the United States would slap a 50% tariff on all Brazilian imports effective Aug 1.