The Brazilian government has launched a process that could lead to reciprocal measures against the United States in response to tariffs recently imposed by Washington on Brazilian goods.
Relations between the two countries continue to deteriorate, and the government said Thursday that the first step would be to seek further diplomatic consultations with U.S. trade officials.
Brazil called the US tariffs “unjustified and arbitrary” and said it would continue to defend its position thru all appropriate channels.
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The United States imposed tariffs of 25% on some Brazilian goods in July, citing alleged unfair trade practices. It also levied 12.5 per cent tariffs on goods from several countries, including Brazil, over claims of weak enforcement of forced labor restrictions.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva earlier vowed to take whatever steps are needed to apply the country’s Reciprocity Law, which allows for retaliatory measures beyond tariffs on US imports.
Brazilian authorities have warned such measures could disrupt supply chains and stoke domestic inflation.
Sources said the government was weighing options including restrictions on US audiovisual companies and the suspension of pharmaceutical and farm patents.
