In Fortaleza, Brazil, sex bar Cabaré Thatys Drinks has decided to respond in its own way to U.S.-imposed tariffs with a “spicy” late-night retaliation: a 50 percent surcharge for American customers.
The provocation quickly ended up in the spotlight after a U.S. tourist posted a receipt for the infamous “Programa” – an “all inclusive” night service – showing the applied surcharge with an explicit post: “Trump Tariff.” The post collected nearly 150,000 retweets in a few hours, sparking discussion. Brazilian activists and social media users praised the brothel’s “patriotic” stance, calling it more responsive than Congress. Others noted it was “within the law of reciprocity,” referencing Brazil’s own legislation allowing retaliatory trade measures.
The extra tax is a direct reaction to the 50 percent tariffs announced by Donald Trump on Brazilian goods. According to the White House, the new measures serve to protect the U.S. economy, boost domestic production and “prepare for emergencies.”
Trump justified the imposition on alleged national security grounds and expressed discontent with how Brazil handled an investigation into former President Jair Bolsonaro. Although Brazil has been one of the United States’ most significant trading partners to date, the president does not intend to let his guard down. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett called the tariffs part of a broader manufacturing “onshoring” plan that aims to “bring factories back home,” even if they lose some trade friends along the way.
And in fact Brazil is not the only one who has ended up in the crosshairs of the U.S. tariff policy: the EU and Mexico will also have to deal with a new 30 percent tariff starting in August. Reactions were not long in coming.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appealed for diplomacy, hoping for an agreement before the blow is struck. Meanwhile, in a less diplomatic tone, European Commission Chairwoman Ursula von der Leyen warned that the tariffs could disrupt transatlantic supply chains, and promised a quick assessment of countermeasures.
