Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to be placed under house arrest. The decision by Justice Alexandre de Moraes on 04 August was a result of Bolsonaro allegedly violating a social media ban, a pre-condition of his ongoing trial for an alleged coup plot. This development follows after the U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of sanctions on Justice de Moraes and a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports. The U.S. State Department issued a statement condemning the house arrest, while Bolsonaro’s legal team has stated their intention to appeal the ruling. The imposition of a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports by the US, coupled with political instability, is likely to disrupt trade and create economic uncertainty.