When Cristiane Mersch moved to America from Brazil years ago, she didn’t come looking for handouts. She came looking for freedom.
Now a U.S. citizen, mom of two school-aged kids, and proud mother of a daughter serving in the military, Cristiane says she’s living proof that the American dream still exists – and still matters.
But when it comes to the country of her birth, Cristiane doesn’t hold back.
“I know what it’s like to live under corrupt leaders,” she said during a sit-down conversation at a coffee shop near her Nevada home. “I grew up seeing people suffer while the government got richer. I don’t want that here.”
That’s why Cristiane says she fully supports President Trump’s recent decision to place tariffs on Brazil.
“This is bigger than trade,” she explained. “It’s about taking a stand.”
Brazil’s Shift Toward Tyranny
Cristiane says the Brazilian government has changed, and not for the better.
Once seen as a growing democracy, Brazil now seems more like a dictatorship. Political opponents are silenced. Social media is blocked. The Supreme Court acts behind closed doors. And the president, Lula da Silva, openly praises leaders from countries like Iran and China.
Even worse, Cristiane says, is how Brazil has treated its long-time ally, the United States.
In recent months:
- Lula compared President Trump to Adolf Hitler.
- The Brazilian government attacked Elon Musk for defending free speech.
- Brazil’s First Lady mocked American leaders and values.
- The U.S. Embassy in Brazil still has no ambassador, leaving diplomatic ties in limbo.
“This isn’t just disrespectful,” Cristiane said. “It’s dangerous. They are walking away from freedom and shaking hands with our enemies.”
Flirting With Terrorists
One of Cristiane’s biggest concerns? Brazil’s growing closeness to countries tied to terrorism.
According to multiple news outlets, President Lula welcomed Iranian warships into Brazilian waters – ships operated by a regime known for funding groups like Hezbollah. Vice President Alckmin also recently visited foreign facilities with links to extremist groups.
“This isn’t a mistake,” Cristiane said. “They are making a choice. And that choice puts people in danger not just in Brazil, but here too.”
She also called out Lula’s comments comparing Israel to Nazi Germany during its war with Hamas. Many world leaders condemned the comparison. Israel even called Lula “persona non grata.”
“That was disgusting,” Cristiane said, shaking her head. “It wasn’t just wrong. It was hateful.”
Critics Push Back
Some critics (including trade analysts and left-leaning politicians) argue that tariffs hurt American consumers more than they hurt foreign governments. Others say this could backfire and push Brazil even further toward China and Russia.
The Council on Foreign Relations recently warned that isolating Brazil could lead to a deeper divide in Latin America; a region already facing growing instability.
But Cristiane says those concerns miss the point.
“Yes, trade matters. But values matter more.”
It’s the People Who Suffer
For Cristiane, this fight isn’t about politics. It’s personal.
She remembers growing up in poverty. She remembers seeing family members struggle to survive while politicians got rich and powerful.
“It’s always the people who pay the price,” she said. “The leaders stay rich. The kids stay poor.”
Cristiane said her heart breaks for the children still living in the favelas, Brazil’s poorest neighborhoods. But she believes standing up to corruption is the first step toward real change.
“You can’t help people by funding their oppressors,” she said. “You help them by drawing a line.”
“Trump Did the Right Thing”
Cristiane said President Trump’s decision to hit Brazil with tariffs sent a clear message: the U.S. won’t support nations that abandon freedom.
She said she’s proud to call America home and proud to speak out when she sees injustice.
“I love Brazil. I will always love where I came from. But I love freedom more,” she said. “That’s why I became an American.”
And with her daughter serving in uniform and her family building a life in Nevada, Cristiane says she’s hopeful – not just for her future, but for the future of a country that still dares to say what’s right.
“Trump did the right thing,” she said. “And we need more leaders who are willing to take a stand.”
