Tarcísio de Freitas allies divided over reaction to Trump tariffs

Within the circle of São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, reactions to Donald Trump's new tariffs have been mixed. Some advisors suggest a calm approach focused on calculating the economic impact on São Paulo, while others express frustration over President Lula's perceived inaction, contrasting it with the response from Flávio Bolsonaro's camp.

Governor Freitas, who is seeking re-election, had no official engagements on Thursday. His team was reportedly still assessing the situation, with some aides indicating that the issue requires careful consideration due to Freitas's past support for Trump, evidenced by a video from January 2025 where he wore a MAGA hat.

According to a close aide, Freitas is consulting with members of the Finance and Economic Development secretariats. The footwear sector, which was excluded from tariff exemptions, is a particular concern. The governor's team anticipates a challenging and nationalized campaign, recognizing that Lula's team may link the tariffs to Flávio Bolsonaro and, by extension, to Freitas.

Some more ardent Bolsonaro allies in São Paulo had expected Freitas to publicly support Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's stance and blame Lula for the crisis. However, Freitas's choice to avoid immediate public exposure, a strategy he has employed in previous critical situations, has disappointed these allies. They view this as a self-preservation move at a time when Bolsonaro needed support.