Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Friday he is in "no rush" to impose reciprocal tariffs on the United States after Washington raised duties on Brazilian goods. Lula stated that his government prefers negotiations but acknowledged that actions are available under Brazilian law.
"This is a process that takes a bit of time," Lula told Itatiaia radio. "We have to tell the United States that we also have actions we can take against them. But I am in no rush. What I want is to negotiate."
Brazil's Foreign Ministry instructed trade body Camex to analyze the use of a domestic reciprocity law after U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariff hikes. The U.S. increased duties on Brazilian products to 50% from 10%, while exempting some key exports such as orange juice and aircraft. Other major items, including coffee and meat, are now subject to the full rate.
Foreign Trade Secretary Tatiana Prazeres said the reciprocity mechanism is intended to support negotiations. Speaking at an event organized by the American Chamber of Commerce-Brazil, she explained that "the newly launched reciprocity law process is meant to support Brazil's negotiating effort, while placing us at the table under different negotiating conditions."
She noted that any countermeasures would involve consultations with the U.S. and could be a lengthy process. Officials from Brazil, Latin America's largest economy, have previously raised concerns about limited opportunities to negotiate tariff issues with Washington. A letter sent in May by Lula's administration proposing talks has not received a response.
Trump justified the tariff increase by denouncing what he described as unfair trade practices and accusing Brazil of a "witch hunt" against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who faces trial for allegedly plotting a coup.
Source: Reuters