Brazil’s government formally rejected new tariffs imposed by the United States on Thursday, condemning the action against Brazil and 59 other trading partners as having no legitimate legal foundation.
In an official statement, Brazil described the move as “completely arbitrary” and “unjustified,” accusing the U.S. Trade Representative of exploiting human rights and labor rights concerns to advance a protectionist trade agenda. “Lacking a legal basis under domestic law to support its protectionist trade policy, the U.S. Trade Representative chose to manipulate an issue of great importance to human rights and workers’ rights movement,” the statement read. Under the new measure, Brazilian exports to the United States will face a 12.5% tariff.
Brazil announced it would immediately begin activating response measures available under its “Reciprocity Law” and plans to bring the dispute before the World Trade Organization’s formal settlement process.
