Opinion of Tereza Cristina (PP-MS) proposes commercial retaliation, suspension of concessions and diplomatic consultation
The Senator (PP-MS) presented this Thursday (11.mar.2025) a substitute for the Environmental Reciprocity Bill (), authored by the Senator (Somos-PA), which establishes environmental rules for the importation of goods and products in Brazil. This is the opinion (PDF – 158 kb).
The rapporteur changed the original text to avoid conflicts with the rules of the (World Trade Organization). Instead of a direct prohibition on product imports, the substitute proposes a reciprocity mechanism and commercial retaliation in response to barriers imposed on Brazil.
Among the main changes in the new text are:
- the possibility of suspension of commercial concessions, investments and intellectual property rights of countries that impose unilateral environmental restrictions;
- the creation of criteria for the (Foreign Trade Chamber) to evaluate and apply commercial contracted;
- The requirement that the (Foreign Ministry) will lead diplomatic consultations before any retaliation;
- continuous monitoring of the effectiveness of the adopted measures.
Project objective
PL No. 2,088/2023 requires exporting countries to comply with environmental standards equivalent to Brazilians for their products to be marketed in the national market.
The text was presented in response to environmental barriers imposed by other countries, especially the European Union. The European bloc has adopted strict norms, such as the so -called “Lei Antidesmatamento”, which requires proof of sustainability for imported agricultural products.
The author of the proposal argues that these measures create an environment of unfair competition for Brazilian agribusiness, since they impose commercial restrictions disguised as environmental requirements.
Risk of retaliation
During public hearings that discussed the project, experts warned of the risks of a trade war if Brazil adopts reciprocity measures broadly. According to the rapporteur, the country needs a strategy that protects its productive sector without violating international rules.
The substitute avoids automatic actions and establishes that any commercial sanction will be proportional to the economic impact caused by barriers imposed by other countries. In addition, the text proposes that Brazil will continue to seek diplomatic solutions before adopting retaliatory measures.
Next Steps
If approved in the (Environment Commission), the project will go to the (Economic Affairs Commission), where it will be analyzed on a terminative basis.
If you pass the CAE, you can go directly to, without voting in the Senate Plenary.
