🍆 The Vampetaço: a very Brazilian protest

SOCIAL MEDIA

How a world champion’s nude photoshoot became a symbol of Brazilian protest

On Tuesday, the official X account of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) took aim at Pix, Brazil’s popular instant payment system, suggesting that it gave the country an unfair trade advantage. This was merely the latest development in the ongoing political tension between Brazil and the US, which kicked off when Donald Trump announced on July 9 additional 50% tariffs on Brazilian exports.

While the tariff threat left the average Brazilian annoyed, the USTR’s targeting of Pix — a true source of national pride — unleashed the full extent of the country’s online fury.

And, unlike that of digital citizens from other nations, the wrath of Brazilians on social media goes beyond insults and the flooding of comment boxes — it means a Vampetaço…

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