Trump Administration Demanded That 'Political Dissidents' Be Allowed to Take Part in Brazil's Election - Folha de S.Paulo

The Trump administration demanded, during negotiations over the first imposition of 50% tariffs on Brazil, that the country allow "political dissidents" to take part in the 2026 presidential election. The demand was included in a document sent to Brazilian authorities by their US counterparts in October 2025, revealed by newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo and confirmed by Folha.

The US government made a total of 21 demands, many of them unrelated to trade issues. The document also asked Brazil not to introduce a digital competition regime that would restrict US trade, possibly referring to Pix, Brazil's instant payment system, and not fine, detain or freeze the assets of US citizens over free speech issues.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira headed the Brazilian mission in Washington. According to a member of Brazil's Foreign Ministry, the document circulated among Itamaraty's technical staff but was returned at Vieira's direction, as he considered its terms nonsensical because there are no political dissidents or political prisoners in Brazil.