The vice president, one of the main organizers of the end of tariffs, expressed optimism about the possibility of the American government responding to Brazil’s request, after a conversation between the presidents
The vice president, Minister of Development and one of the main organizers of the end of tariffs with the United States, said he was optimistic about the possibility that the American president,accept Brazil’s request to suspend the 40% tariff on Brazilian products. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) spoke with Trump by phone last week.
“The president’s request for President Trump was that while he negotiates, suspend the 40%. That was the plea. There we have a win-win. There is a lot of possibility for a partnership between Brazil and the USA”, said the vice-president this Sunday (12). “There could be important progress there, we have already made progress. Cellulose was no longer subject to tariffs, today cellulose and iron-nickel are already 0%, which amounts to 4% of Brazilian exports. Last week, sawn and soft wood gave 50%, it came to 10%. Wardrobe, sofa, furniture, it was 50%, it came to 25%. What we need is to move faster”, he continued in conversation with journalists after participating in mass in Aparecida (SP).
The leaders are expected to meet in person in Malaysia at the end of the month, after a brief meeting at the UN general assembly pave the way for dialogue. Alckmin also said that he sees no obstacles in negotiating with the USA with the appointment of the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to be an interlocutor on the American side. “I don’t believe (that the name hinders dialogue). President (US Donald) Trump’s guidance was very clear. We want to create dialogue and understanding, and Brazil has always defended this”, he considered.
Rubio’s appointment generated apprehension in the government and was celebrated by the right. Recently, Rubio made dozens of criticisms of the Minister of the Superior Federal Court (STF) Alexandre de Moraes, and was one of those responsible for announcing the application of the Magnitsky Law against the minister and his wife. Rubio has already met federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro a few times and made threatening public comments about the conviction of former president Jair Bolsonaro, with whom he also met in the past.
Alckmin also said that he thinks Brazil has made progress in the fight against poverty with the country’s removal from the UN Hunger Map, but highlighted that the “task will never end”. “It is important to advance more every day, in order to improve the quality of life of our population”, he stated.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
