The Brazilian industry sees as harmful to a “historical partnership” the 25% rate on steel and aluminum imports from the United States.
“Historically, Our relationship with the US has always valued competitive advantages From each country, with mutual gains, especially in these segments. The taxation shows total lack of perception of complementarity That we have built over the years, ”said in a statement the president of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), Ricardo Alban.
At the turn of Tuesday (11) to this Wednesday (12), US President Donald Trump has in force a rate on all steel and aluminum entering the country.
Brazil is today the second largest supplier of steel and iron in the US, losing only to its neighbor, Canada. By 2024, Americans bought US $ 4.677 billion from Brazilian products from the metal items set.
“The global repositioning of the United States worries us. We have no doubt that there is a mistake about the relationship with Brazil, especially with regard to steel and aluminum, ”said Alban.
The president of CNI highlighted the complementarity between the two economies, that is, one produces what the other needs to make their national chains work, and vice versa.
“We have a complementary export of intermediate products that allow the US to add value throughout a line of equipment, including automotive. And Brazil is one of the great buyers of these goods, ”he added.
CNI points out that the US is Brazil’s main partner in exports of the transformation industry, especially regarding products of greater technological intensity, service trade and bilateral investments. By 2024, Americans bought US $ 31.6 billion from products in the sector.
Alban argues that the Brazilian government keeps firmly facing negotiations with the US in order to reverse the rates it has taxed as “disproportionate”.
“Obviously, there are political and strategic decisions of each country, especially in an integrated world, but I think the most appropriate way to solve impasses is dialogue. The CNI, together with the sectoral associations, will act with the Brazilian government to find the best way out for the situation, ”said Alban.
The Brazilian government tries to approach US management to align possible exceptions and agreements.
After a first contact with US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, and US commercial representative Jamieson Greer, Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, Geraldo Alckmin (PSB), said he had a positive conversation and said that he would continue to dialogue.
Meanwhile, the governments of Brazil and the United States have created a working group to discuss commercial tariffs, according to Itamaraty.
This Friday (14), Alckmin’s team has a meeting scheduled with US authorities to discuss tariffs on Brazilian steel and aluminum.
In a statement, the government classified as “unjustifiable and wrong” the measure, and said it should trigger the World Trade Organization (WTO). In addition, the executive stressed that he will continue to seek, from the private sector, measures to defend national interests.
Finance Minister Fernando Haddad also sought to reinforce that there will be no retaliation for the American stance, and that the guidance of the President of the Republic, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT), is to negotiate with the White House.
The Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa, said that Lula should make his decision after Friday’s meeting.
This content was originally published in fare signals US “total lack of perception” about partnership, says CNI on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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