Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Brasilia, Feb 14. - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed today that Brazil will apply the principle of reciprocity if his counterpart from the United States, Donald Trump, raises the country's import tariffs.
I heard that he is going to tax Brazilian steel. If Brazilian steel, we will react commercially or we will denounce the (World) Trade Organization (WTO) or we will tax the products that we import from them, Lula declared during an interview for Radio Clube of the northern state of Pará.
He pointed out that he sees no reason for the country to seek disputes with those who do not need it. Now, if you have any attitude with Brazil, there will be reciprocity. There is no doubt, there will be reciprocity from Brazil in any attitude it has against Brazil, he stressed.
Trump promised to apply broad tariffs to several countries with a trade surplus with the United States, such as China, and even to closer partners such as Mexico and Canada.
He also announced a 25 percent tax on steel and aluminum imports, canceling exemptions and duty-free quotas for major suppliers, including Brazil.
Lula recalled, however, that the United States has a trade surplus with Brazil, that is, they sell more goods and services than they buy.
"The relationship between Brazil and the United States is a very equal one. That is to say, we import 40 billion dollars' worth from them, and we export 45 billion dollars' worth to them," he pointed out.
So, he continued, Brazil has no international dispute, we want peace and tranquility. Look, if Trump behaves that way with Brazil, I will behave that way with the United States, he reaffirmed.
In addition, Trump announced on Thursday the application of reciprocal tariffs against any country that imposes taxes on American imports, being the most recent tariff offensive against allies and enemies.
According to the White House, tariffs could begin to be imposed in weeks, while the Executive's trade and economic team studies bilateral tariffs and trade relations.
The United States Government will analyze country by country and these studies must be completed before April 1.
Given this, members of the Lula administration's economic team defend caution in the face of the Republican's news.
The Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, said that the South American giant has no reason to fear the measures, also citing the trade balance with an overweight for North Americans.
Haddad indicated that the Brazilian Government will not respond to any signal, it will wait to see what is concrete, effective and evaluate how this story will end. (Text and Photo: PL)
