And Trump tuned in.

It was only when the president of Mexico and the prime minister of Canada stood their ground more firmly and responded to the bravado of the American president with measures imposing reciprocity in tariffs on American products that Trump backed down and adopted the famous "well, you see." This, along with the strong reactions from the Canadian population and the premier of Ontario – the largest province in the neighboring country – who suspended a multi-million dollar contract with Starlink, Elon Musk's company.

US President Donald Trump is a huge braggart. That's a fact. But he's a braggart with a high degree of madness and irresponsibility. His personal future and that of his family are already more than guaranteed for generations. So, screw the globe and its inhabitants. Therefore, this retreat, which undoubtedly demonstrates weakness, can be reversed at any moment with even harsher measures. And the world needs to be prepared for that.

The way Mexico and Canada dealt with the Trumpist outburst should serve as an example for other countries that may become victims of American protectionist measures. Because it seems that free competition and meritocracy only matter when the advantage is on the side of the US.

Of course, every country has its strengths and weaknesses. The United States, for example, accounts for 12% of our foreign trade. And it's not just commodities – they are the main destination for manufactured goods and technologically advanced products in our export portfolio.

This may indicate the need for Brazil to seek other markets for its products, reducing its dependence on the US in our trade balance. We need to prospect so we don't get caught unprepared. We should think about replacing export markets, creating alternatives in case Trump's madness targets Brazil. And since this is not a move with immediate results, the sooner it starts – if it hasn't already – the better.

But these episodes showed the world that the American president doesn't have the moral authority to wage an economic confrontation against other nations. Despite not being concerned about the internal problems of poverty and inequality spreading across American territory, he cannot afford to lose allies by causing reductions in the profits of American corporations.