Various sectors across Brazil have voiced strong criticism after U.S.President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian imports starting August 1.
From government officials to industry leaders and the general public, Brazilians have condemned the move as baseless and harmful to bilateral trade. The Brazilian government swiftly rejected the threat and pledged to take reciprocal measures in defense of the country's economic interests.
Trump claimed that U.S.-Brazil trade relations were "extremely unfair." However, Brazilian experts and media have pointed out that the United States actually runs a trade surplus with Brazil.
"There is no economic justification for a measure of this magnitude, raising tariffs on Brazil from the floor to the ceiling," said Ricardo Alban, president of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) in a statement released on the official website of the confederation on July 9.
Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, professor of international law at the Fluminense Federal University and the Getulio Vargas Foundation, Brazil, said in an opinion piece released on Xinhua.net on July 12 that Trump's measure against Brazil "lacks any justification from a trade balance perspective" and his claim that the U.S.-Brazil relationship 'has been far from reciprocal' sounds more like a provocation than a credible statement".
In response to the U.S.' hegemonic and bullying behavior, a large number of Brazilian netizens have left comments under President Trump's personal social media accounts, criticizing the U.S. tariff policy and expressing support for Brazil's sovereignty.
Others commented under Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's post declaring that Brazil "will not accept control by anyone," voicing their support.
During recent protests in various locations, many Brazilians also chanted slogans opposing U.S. tariff bullying.
Various sectors across Brazil voice strong criticism of US tariff threat
Various sectors across Brazil voice strong criticism of US tariff threat
