In a speech at the General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Itamaraty Secretary of Economic and Commercial Affairs, Ambassador Philip Fox-Drummond Gough, criticized the use of tariffs as a tool to interfere with country’s internal affairs.
Without nominally quoting US President Donald Trump, the Brazilian government envoy called the republican -announced measures as “arbitrary.”
“In addition to the widespread violations of the rules of international trade – and even more worrying – we are witnessing extremely dangerous change towards the use of tariffs as a tool to try to interfere with third country’s internal affairs,” said secretary.
Brazil faces a short term to negotiate with the US and prevent 50% rates from exported products from entering the 1st August. The announcement of the rates was made by Trump in early July.
In the letter sent to Brazil with the announcement of the fees, the Republican cited the trial case of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL-RJ). The American leader have classified the process as “witch hunt”.
WTO speech occurs amid tension with the US to try to contain the implementation of tariffs to Brazil. In addition, Congress approved the law of economic reciprocity, a mechanism that can be used by the country to retaliate Americans.
The ambassador also reinforces Brazil’s position to seek conflict resolution through negotiations, but without discarding the use of other inclusive available tools through the WTO itself.
“We will continue to prioritize negotiated solutions and to be based on good diplomatic and commercial relations. If negotiations failed, we will resort to all legal means available to defend our economy and our people – and this includes the WTO controversy system,” he said.
While Brazil continues to seek negotiations, some countries have announced understandings with Trump, such as the UK, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Japan.