Members of a business mission that has been in Washington since the beginning of this week to open dialogue channels that may reverse the US President Donald Trump’s tariff over Brazilian products and avoid new protectionist measures, were received on Wednesday by the US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. According to the president of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), Ricardo Alban, Landau stated that the impasse with Brazil has a political issue, unprecedented for both Brazil and the US.
The Under Secretary of State often criticizes the Brazilian government and judiciary, as well as the treatment given to former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently being tried by the Supreme Court (STF) for attempted coup. By announcing a 50% surcharge on Brazil’s products, Donald Trump said one of the justifications for the measure is the process against Bolsonaro. However, the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has already warned that he accepts interference in internal affairs.
“Immediately, Secretary Landau has very openly put that the main question concerns the political characteristic of the problem, which is unheard of to them, something unheard of for us, and that we need to lead under a prism of finding paths in the political sector,” said Alban.
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According to the president of CNI, “very honestly”, Landau was placed that it is not the competence of Brazilian entrepreneurs to discuss this issue. He reported having stated that, if called, the Brazilian private sector will be available to find solutions and convergences in the economic field.
Also according to Ricardo Alban, Landau reported that, due to the political content of the issue, the matter is being dealt with by the State Department, ie, by American diplomacy. The holder of the position, Marco Rubio, was traveling to Mexico when the meeting took place.
“The state department is responsible for this negotiation, precisely for this political conditioning that is involved in the process,” said Alban.
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Last Tuesday, members of the entourage that traveled to the US met with the Brazilian Ambassador in that country, Maria Luiza Viotti. On Wednesday, they were with US congressmen and were represented by CNI consultant Roberto Azevêdo, at a public hearing regarding an investigation conducted by the Office of the Commerce Representative (USTR) about suspected disloyal business practices throughout Brazil.
The process involves topics such as deforestation, preferred rates in commercial agreements with other countries, corruption and payment such as Pix. Azevêdo, who was Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), ensured that Brazil respects international standards and does not harm the US economy. Also attending the public hearing the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA), which defended the Brazilian agribusiness.
