✓ verbatim from the press ? no verbatim passage
The US government has proposed a 25% tariff on Brazilian imports after concluding an investigation that deemed certain Brazilian policies "unreasonable" and harmful to bilateral trade. The US Trade Representative (USTR) determined on June 1 that Brazilian practices related to digital trade, preferential tariffs, anti-corruption enforcement, intellectual property protection, ethanol market access, and illegal deforestation violate Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. ?
Press quotes (1)
"Today, the United States Trade Representative determined under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 that certain of Brazil's acts, policies, and practices related to digital trade and electronic payment services; unfair, preferential tariffs; anti-corruption enforcement; intellectual property protection; ethanol market access; and illegal deforestation are unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce, and are thus actionable under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act."
The USTR decision, announced Monday, does not immediately implement the tariffs — the proposal will be subject to public hearings until July 15, when the Trump administration must decide whether to apply the punitive measures. "I initiated this investigation under Section 301 at the request of President Trump to address longstanding and widespread U.S. concerns regarding certain of Brazil's trade policies and practices," stated Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Iniciei esta investigação ao abrigo da Secção 301 a pedido do Presidente Trump para abordar preocupações antigas e generalizadas dos EUA relativamente a certas políticas e práticas comerciais do Brasil"
Among the practices deemed "unreasonable," the US cites Brazilian court orders that mandated removal of political content from US social media platforms and suspension of US residents' profiles, as well as policies that allegedly favor Brazilian electronic payment companies over US competitors. The document also criticizes preferential tariffs Brazil grants to Mexico and India, failures in combating corruption and protecting intellectual property, and changes in tariff treatment of US ethanol since 2017. ?
Press quotes (1)
"Digital Trade and Electronic Payment Services: Brazilian courts have issued secret orders directing U.S. social media companies to take down certain political content and to suspend the profiles of U.S. residents, sometimes globally, as well as prohibiting the platforms from disclosing these orders to profile owners"
Brazil's capacity for retaliation is limited by the economic asymmetry between the two countries, according to BBC analysis. "The US is a much more important partner for Brazil than Brazil is for the US in terms of overall trade. So Brazil's capacity [to retaliate] is very limited," an expert told the broadcaster. Measures available to Brazil include import restrictions, suspension of trade agreements, and exceptionally, suspension of intellectual property rights. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Os EUA são um parceiro muito mais importante para o Brasil do que o Brasil é para os EUA em termos do comércio como um todo. Então, a capacidade que o Brasil tem [de retaliar] é muito limitada"
USTR proposed 25% tariff based on Section 301 of Trade Act of 1974
Public hearing scheduled for July 6, final decision by July 15
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
Exempt products include meat, coffee, fruits and minerals
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What is the specific volume of Brazilian trade exposed to the 25% tariff by sector?
Why it's still unknown: USTR did not detail quantitative data on volume of affected imports by product category
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Which Brazilian companies would be most impacted by the proposed tariffs?
Why it's still unknown: No outlet identified specific companies that would face the tariffs
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What is the Brazilian government's official position on the US accusations?
Why it's still unknown: Lula government has not yet issued formal response to USTR determinations