The Trump administration is investigating Brazil for its trade practices and "attacks" on "US social media companies."

The rift between Brazil and the United States since Donald Trump took office is increasingly evident. In a new clash between the two countries, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has announced the opening of an investigation into Brazil for its trade practices and "attacks" on "US social media companies," reports AFP.

Last week, Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports against Brazil, governed by leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva . He did so in part as punishment for the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro for attempted coup.

This Tuesday, Washington went further by making good on its threat to open an investigation into Brazil, as it promised to do in the letter to Lula announcing the new customs tariffs applicable starting August 1 if an agreement is not reached before then.

"At President Trump's direction, I am launching a Section 301 investigation into Brazil's attacks on American social media companies, as well as other unfair trade practices that harm American businesses, workers, farmers, and technology innovators," Trade Representative Greer said in a statement. "Brazil's tariff and non-tariff barriers warrant a thorough investigation and, potentially, corrective action," Greer added.

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 addresses unfair foreign practices affecting U.S. commerce.

Washington will investigate digital commerce and electronic payment services to examine whether they harm American companies. It cites as examples restrictions on providing services in the country and retaliation "for failing to censor political speech."

It appears to refer to a court-ordered ban on Rumble , a video-sharing platform popular with conservative groups, for refusing to suspend the account of a US-based user wanted for spreading disinformation.

The Trump administration will also investigate the "unfair preferential tariffs" it says Brazil grants "to exports from certain globally competitive trading partners."

It also accuses Brazil of "inability" to "implement anti-corruption and transparency measures" and of apparently denying "the protection and enforcement" of intellectual property rights.

Regarding ethanol, the Trump administration complains that Brazil has abandoned "its willingness to offer virtually duty-free treatment to U.S. ethanol" and instead applies "substantially higher" tariffs to it than to other countries.

Finally, he asserts that "Brazil appears to be failing to effectively enforce laws and regulations designed to curb illegal deforestation , undermining the competitiveness of U.S. timber and agricultural producers."