Brazil has accused the United States of violating its commitments under the World Trade Organization (WTO) by imposing tariffs that breach the most-favored-nation principle and agreed tariff ceilings. This statement was released by Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As a result, Brazil has filed a “request for consultations” with the United States under the WTO Dispute Settlement System.
Brazil also expressed a willingness to negotiate, hoping that the consultations would lead to a resolution of the issue.
“The date and location of the consultations should be agreed upon by both parties in the coming weeks,” the statement added.
This morning, the Brazilian government announced plans to engage in further talks with the U.S. administration following the enforcement of 50% tariffs imposed by Washington on certain Brazilian imports.
Brazil’s Finance Minister, Fernando Haddad, stated he would speak with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent next Wednesday to “formalize the interest in dialogue.”
The conversation between Haddad and Bessent will be held virtually, but it might progress to an in-person meeting depending on the discussions.
“Depending on the quality of the conversation, a face-to-face working meeting could be developed with the aim of reaching an understanding between the two countries,” the Brazilian minister assured.
The tariff, signed last week by U.S. President Donald Trump, affects 36% of imports from Brazil, impacting products such as beef and coffee.
Simultaneously, Trump has excluded nearly 700 products, representing 45% of Brazilian imports, from the 50% tariff, maintaining the minimum announced 10% tariff from April for most countries.
An additional 19% of imports, including steel and vehicles, are subject to sector-specific tariffs.
These 50% tariffs, imposed by the U.S. President on various Brazilian products, come into effect today as a move by Washington to exert pressure for the amnesty of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
In an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between the two nations, Trump and the White House have labeled the process accusing Bolsonaro of attempting a coup after the 2022 elections as a “witch hunt.”
On Wednesday, coinciding with the tariff announcement, the U.S. imposed further sanctions on Brazil’s Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, who is presiding over the Bolsonaro case.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered house arrest for Jair Bolsonaro on Monday for violating precautionary measures related to the attempted coup case, including the use of social media, and stated he would “ignore the sanctions” imposed by the United States.
President Lula da Silva and his government continue negotiating with Washington to remove approximately 700 Brazilian products, including meat, coffee, and fruits, from the tariff list, similar to previous concessions on aviation and iron, but insist that the country’s sovereignty and judicial independence are non-negotiable.
“Our democracy is being questioned, our sovereignty is under attack, our economy is being aggressed. This is a challenge we did not ask for and do not wish,” stated the Brazilian head of state during an event in Brasília on Tuesday.
