India, July 16 -- The Trump administration has announced a 25% tariff on certain imports from Brazil, escalating trade tensions with the South American country. The new tariffs come after a year-long investigation by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) into Brazil's trade practices.

The move has raised questions over why Washington targeted Brazil, what issues led to the decision and what could happen next in the dispute between the two countries.

According to the USTR, the tariffs were imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 after the agency concluded that several Brazilian policies created "unreasonable" barriers for American businesses, farmers, workers and exporters.

The USTR said the investigation examined ...