The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Ronald Eustice
Brazil’s president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently said his American counterpart was elected as the leader of the United States and “not to be the emperor of the world.” This was in response to Trump’s threat to impose crippling tariffs of 50% on Brazil starting August 1.
Trump linked the tariff threat to what he described as a “witch hunt” trial against Brazil’s right-wing former president, Jair Bolsonaro, his friend and close ally, facing trial for allegedly attempting to overthrow Lula following his presidential win in 2022. We all know Trump is familiar with efforts to overturn elections.
Bolsonaro could face four decades behind bars if found guilty of masterminding the coup attempt. Trump posted a letter to Bolsonaro on Truth Social, in which he suggested the former Brazilian leader was the victim of an “unjust system” and saying that he would be “watching closely.”
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Unlike the more than 20 other countries that received threatening letters from Trump this month, the US ran a $6.8 billion trade surplus with Brazil last year. The US exported more goods to Brazil than it imported — an imbalance that should satisfy Trump’s trade agenda. U.S. exports to Brazil in 2024 included aircraft and spacecraft, fuels, industrial machinery, nuclear reactors, and electrical equipment. A retaliatory 50% Brazilian tariff on American goods could severely harm these industries.
By calling Trump a “wannabe emperor,” President Lula is pointing out what is obvious to many world leaders. Trump is not satisfied with dominance over 50 US states. His unquenchable thirst for power expands to much of the world through tariffs, threats and in his words, “any means necessary.” By his bullying, and threats to impose tariffs, Trump is attempting to dictate international policy. Now he is trying to interfere in how other countries conduct internal judicial affairs.
The President has tightened his grip on America. Republican control of both houses of Congress has made that easier and nearly all Republican lawmakers bow before him; the few that don’t are in trouble. Republicans frightened by Trump’s angry tweets of disapproval keep their criticisms private and comply with his every wish. Those who speak up are gone from Capitol Hill or soon will be.
I believe the word “emperor” accurately describes Trump’s plan. The dictionary defines emperor as a word for a ruler having total control of a country or region.
“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen about a vain emperor who is tricked into believing he is wearing an invisible, magnificent suit of clothes. The story is a metaphor for the dangers of flattery, conformity, and the fear of speaking truth to power. It is used to describe a situation where someone is pretending to be something they are not. It’s a way of pointing out that a leader is not as powerful as they claim to be. In many ways Trump resembles this “naked” emperor.
Trump moved with remarkable speed in his first 100 days, issuing more than 100 executive orders and pushing an agenda that has the potential to remake America. During his campaign, Trump made many promises; but few have materialized.
First some successes:
Illegal border crossings are at a historic low, having dropped 96 percent.
DEI: Trump has signed various executive orders eliminating DEI programs.
Mixed results:
Trade deals: Trump declared “Liberation Day” and imposed tariffs on every country in the world on April 1st and proudly proclaimed that 70 countries were eager to sign “deals.” So far, it’s been a roller-coaster ride, and few real deals have materialized.
Government efficiency: The savings from DOGE has been far from the $2 trillion initially promised. DOGE’s website estimated $160 billion in savings, just 8% of its original goal.
Trump pardoned 1500 January 6th rioters, many who committed serious crimes, hardly a success.
Failures:
He has become a self-appointed “peacemaker” attempting to negotiate treaties in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria and elsewhere.
End the war in Ukraine; still fighting.
End the war in Gaza; still fighting.
Trump’s unwillingness to come clean regarding the Epstein scandal may reveal that the “emperor” really has no clothes.
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Ronald Eustice is a retired international marketing executive. He has a degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota and is the author of more than 30 books on a variety of topics. He lives in Casas Adobes.
