Project proposes to revoke the National Emergency Declaration signed by Trump on July 30, which served as a legal basis for increasing tariffs – which added to the 10% already in force, increasing the total tax to 50%
A group of American senators presented on Thursday (18) a bill to overthrow the additional 40% rates imposed by the president on Brazilian products. The measure will still be analyzed and voted by the Senate of . The project proposes to revoke the National Emergency Declaration signed by Trump on July 30, which served as a legal basis for increasing tariffs – which added to the 10% already in force, increasing total taxation to 50%.
Trump justified the decision based on the International Economic Emergency Powers Law (IEEPA), but parliamentarians claim that the use of the device was abusive and can be reversed by Congress. According to the authors, a trade war with Brazil would damage both economies and increase costs for US consumers.
“A trade war with Brazil would increase costs for Americans, damage the American and Brazilian economies and bring Brazil closer to China,” warned the senators in the presentation text. Trade between the two countries moves about $ 40 billion a year and is linked to 130,000 jobs in the United States. Brazilian coffee, which alone accounts for approximately $ 2 billion in annual exports, was cited as an example of a product whose US internal production is not able to meet demand.
The initiative is led by Democrats Tim Kaine, Chuck Schumer, Jeanne Shaheen and Ron Wyden, as well as Republican Rand Paul. Also support the measure Democrat Peter Welch and Independent Angus King. In public statements, the senators were incisive against tariffs. “President Trump’s rates on Brazilian products (…) are outrageous. Our economic policy should be prepared for the benefit of Americans, not as personal revenge,” said Kaine.
Rand Paul reinforced the criticism of the legality of the decree: “The president of the United States has no authority under IEEPA to impose unilateral tariff. Trade policy belongs to Congress, not the White House,” he said. Democratic leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, classified the measure as an abuse of power:
“The emergency declaration is false and is a blatant abuse of power. Americans do not deserve that Trump make politics with their livelihood and pockets,” he said.
*With information from Estadão Content
