Brazil criticises US tariffs as unjustified

Brasilia (ANTARA) - Brazil on Monday (31/8) once again expressed its dissatisfaction with the tariffs imposed by the United States (US) on Brazilian products, stating that the tariffs are “unjustified and inconsistent” with international trade rules.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Brazil’s Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Marcio Elias Rosa, conveyed this dissatisfaction during a virtual meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

In a joint statement, both Brazilian ministries stated that Brazil is being treated unfairly and that the reasons provided by Washington in its investigation under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 do not reflect Brazil’s actual practices.

Despite these differences, both countries have agreed to continue negotiations. Technical meetings, both virtual and in-person, will be held in the coming weeks, followed by further ministerial-level meetings to evaluate progress.

The Brazilian government stated it will continue to seek a “balanced and mutually beneficial” agreement with the US through dialogue and respect for national sovereignty.

The virtual meeting on Monday took place following a telephone conversation between Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and US President Donald Trump on 21 August. During that call, Lula questioned the implementation of the tariffs, while Trump proposed the resumption of negotiations.

In July, the US Trade Representative’s office imposed an additional 25 per cent duty on several Brazilian products following a review lasting nearly a year. An additional 12.5 per cent duty was subsequently imposed on even more Brazilian products.