As the U.S. government’s August 1 tariff deadline looms, Brazil and India are pushing back, vowing to defend their economies and national interests. Washington has threatened a 50-percent levy on Brazilian exports and a 25-percent duty on Indian goods for countries without bilateral trade deals.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told The New York Times he reached out to U.S. President Donald Trump for talks but received no response. “If he wants to have a political fight, then let’s treat it as a political fight. If he wants to talk trade, let’s sit down and discuss trade,” said Lula. “But you can’t mix everything together.”
Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, an economist at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, warns that the U.S. has unleashed a “tariff machine gun,” creating broad uncertainty among businesses that rely on U.S. markets. Many Brazilian exporters are now eyeing new regions to diversify their customer base.
In New Delhi, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a statement after President Trump announced the 25-percent tariff on Indian goods. “India will take all necessary steps to protect its interests,” the ministry said, signaling firm resistance to U.S. pressure.
Dilip Kumar, chairman of the Medical Tourism division at the local Chamber of Commerce, argues that U.S. consumers will bear the brunt of higher costs. “If American buyers paid $100 for a product from India, they’ll now pay $125,” Kumar noted, explaining that exporters will pass the tariff on to end users.
This standoff underscores a shifting trade landscape. Economists say countries are fast-tracking market diversification, while entrepreneurs and digital nomads eye emerging hubs in Asia and Latin America for fresh opportunities.
As Brazil and India stand their ground, the ball is in Washington’s court. For global businesses and young innovators, the evolving tariffs saga is a reminder of the need for agility—and the potential in untapped markets. Stay tuned as the world watches this high-stakes trade showdown unfold.
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Brazil, India reject U.S. tariff pressure, vow to defend own interests
cgtn.com
