Following the U.S. government's threat of a 30 percent tariff hike on Europe and Mexico, U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider sharply criticized the "weaponization" of the U.S. economy. He noted that the U.S. is using tariffs to interfere in Brazil's internal affairs and threatening close partners like Mexico and Canada. He said such moves have driven up costs of daily essentials such as housing, food and automobiles for Americans. Schneider emphasized that these measures will weaken U.S. export capacity and endanger people's livelihoods.