Brazil is assessing a broad range of measures to counteract the recent uptick in U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. With these tariffs now in effect, Brazilian authorities are exploring every possible avenue—including actions at the World Trade Organization—to protect national economic interests and sustain a balanced trade relationship.
The new tariffs, initiated under President Donald Trump as part of an effort to reshape global trade dynamics, have prompted strong reactions in Brazil. Officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade have described the U.S. move as "unjustified and mistaken," especially in light of the historic cooperation and economic integration between the two nations.
Data reveals that Brazilian steel and aluminum exports to the United States reached approximately $3.2 billion in 2024, underscoring the critical nature of these trade ties. In addition, Brazil plays a pivotal role in the U.S. steel industry, standing as the largest exporter of semi-finished steel and the third-largest importer of U.S. steelmaking coal.
Amid these developments, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has urged his economic team to open a dialogue with the U.S. administration. Finance Minister Fernando Haddad noted that lessons learned from past negotiations under even more challenging conditions are guiding their measured response.
As the coming weeks will be crucial in shaping Brazil's strategy, global observers and industry experts remain keenly interested in how these negotiations might influence international trade relations and economic policies worldwide.
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Brazil says it will consider all measures against U.S. tariffs
cgtn.com
