US government accuses Brazil from preventing or restricting US trade and mentions social networks, electronic payment services, illegal deforestation and ethanol.
The United States Government began a commercial investigation into what it called “unfair” practices in Brazil, a week after President Donald Trump threatens to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports.
The US commercial representative’s office said on Tuesday (15/07) that the investigation aims to determine whether “the actions, policies and practices of the Government of Brazil” are “irrational or prevent or restrict or restrict the US trade.”
“Under the guidance of President Trump, I am starting an investigation under section 301 on Brazil’s attacks,” added US commercial representative Jamieson Greer, referring to the US 1974 trade law.
Among the victims of these attacks, he related social networking companies and other American companies, as well as workers, farmers and technological innovatives, which he described as impaired by Brazil’s “unfair business practices”.
The practices in question are related to digital trade and electronic payment services, unfair preferred tariffs, anti -corruption interference, intellectual property protection, access to the ethanol market and illegal deforestation, according to the statement.
According to the US, “Brazil grants lower preferential fares to exports of certain globally competitive business partners, which impairs US exports.”
Greer said Brazil has charged substantially higher tariffs on US ethanol exports and “seems to be failing” to apply laws against illegal deforestation, which, according to him, impairs the competitiveness of US wooden producers.
Regarding anti -corruption measures, the US complains about “lack of application by Brazil of anti -corruption and transparency measures, which raises concerns about anti -suprore and anti -corruption regulations”.
“I determined that the tariff and non -tariff barriers of Brazil deserve a complete investigation and, potentially, a corrective action,” said Greer.
In his first term, Trump used section 301 to justify a series of tariffs against China. The law was also used to investigate other countries by taxes on digital services applied to American technology companies.
Bolsonaro Support
The investigation begins at a time of diplomatic tension between the two countries due to Trump’s support to former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is being sued for attempted coup, among other accusations.
Trump justified the imposition of a 50% rate from August 1, well above the 10% rate initially announced, with Bolsonaro’s trial.
The 50% rate surprised many trade experts, as imports of American products throughout Brazil exceed exports and by Trump explicitly linked the rate to Bolsonaro trial.
On Tuesday, before boarding Pennsylvania, Trump reiterated his support for Bolsonaro, who called “a good man,” and insisted that his trial is a “witch hunt” with which “no one is happy.”
Also on Tuesday, Attorney General Paulo Gonet asked the Supreme Court (STF) to convict Bolsonaro and seven other defendants for crimes such as armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law and coup d’état. The accused can be sentenced to penalties ranging from 12 to 40 years in prison.
The Brazilian government stated that “it is deplored and repudiates, once again, the United States’ improper statements” regarding the lawsuit against Bolsonaro.
Originally published by DW on 16/07/2025