Brazil was not the only country targeted for political reasons. India faces a comparable rate for buying Russian oil. Mr Trump warned Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister, that recognising a Palestinian state would make trade negotiations “very hard”.

India and Brazil moved to resist US trade pressure, in a sign of how the White House’s economic policies are alienating friendly nations.

Brazil has requested consultations at the World Trade Organization over tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on the South American nation.