RICHMOND VA (Rocktown Now) — Senator Tim Kaine and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, both Ranking Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led their colleagues in sending a letter to President Donald Trump expressing serious concerns regarding his threats to start a trade war with Brazil unless Brazil’s Supreme Court ends the prosecution of long-time Trump friend and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro is facing criminal charges for attempting to lead a violent coup.

Americans import more than $40 billion annually from Brazil, including nearly $2 billion worth of coffee.

Trade between the U.S. and Brazil supports nearly 130,000 jobs in the United States.

“We write to express significant concerns about the clear abuse of power inherent in your recent threat to launch a trade war with Brazil. The United States and Brazil have legitimate trade issues that should be discussed and negotiated. However, your Administration’s tariff threat is clearly not directed at that,” wrote the Senators.

“Interfering in another sovereign nation’s legal system sets a dangerous precedent, provokes an unnecessary trade war and puts American nationals and companies at risk of retribution,” the Senators continued. “Using the full weight of the American economy to interfere with these proceedings on behalf of a friend is a gross misuse of power, undermines America’s influence in Brazil and could derail our broader interests in the region.”

“Your actions would increase costs for American families and businesses,” the Senators wrote. “Brazil has also vowed to retaliate, and you have preemptively vowed to retaliate in kind – meaning that U.S. exporters will suffer and taxes on imports for Americans will rise beyond your threatened 50 percent level.”

The Senators concluded, “The overriding goals of the U.S. in Latin America must be enhancing mutually beneficial economic relationships, promoting free and fair democratic elections and countering PRC influence. We urge you to reconsider your actions and prioritize the economic interests of Americans who want predictability not another trade war.”

In addition to Kaine and Shaheen, the letter is cosigned by Senators Adam Schiff, Dick Durbin, Kirsten Gillibrand, Peter Welch, Catherine Cortez Masto, Mark R. Warner, Jacky Rosen, Michael Bennet, and Reverend Raphael Warnock.

Full text of the letter is available here.