US President Donald Trump's backing for a far-right Brazilian ally could inadvertently boost leftist President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva's flagging political fortunes, analysts say.

A prosecutor asked Brazil's Supreme Court on Tuesday to find ex-president Jair Bolsonaro guilty of plotting a coup, in closing arguments after a trial that saw US President Donald Trump try to intervene on behalf of his right-wing ally.

Former Brazilian president says he never violated democracy, rejects coup attempt accusations as a ‘witch hunt’.

Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose 50% tariffs against Brazil to support Jair Bolsonaro has sparked controversy. Critics believe the move could harm rather than help Bolsonaro, rallying support for his opponent Lula amid fears of economic fallout.

Right-wing Brazilians wanted sanctions against the judge prosecuting Brazil’s former president. President Trump opted for something far bigger — tariffs.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro and a federal congressman currently on leave, said São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas was wrong to try to negotiate a solution to the 50% tariffs with the U.S. Embassy.

"I’ll be watching the WITCH HUNT of Jair Bolsonaro, his family, and thousands of his supporters, very closely," Trump stated. "The only Trial that should be happening is a Trial by the Voters of Brazil — It’s called an Election." The one area where Trump and Bolsonaro differ is in their pre-politics past.