Washington Announces Investigation Into Brazilian Trade Practices, Digital Payment Services

Contact Your Elected Officials

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s probe comes after Trump threatened 50 percent tariffs on Latin America’s largest economy.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced the opening of an investigation into Brazil’s “unfair” trading practices on Tuesday.

The commencement of the probe comes a week after President Donald Trump announced 50 percent tariffs on imports from the country.

He said he planned to impose the exceptionally high rate, far higher than the 10 percent levy on goods from most other nations, due to Brazil’s continuing pursuit of a trial against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup d’état.

Greer’s investigation will look to determine whether acts, policies, and practices enacted by Brazil—related to digital trade and electronic payment services, such as unfair, preferential tariffs, anti-corruption interference, intellectual property protection, ethanol market access, and illegal deforestation—present an “unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce,” the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said in a statement.

“At President Trump’s direction, I am launching a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s attacks on American social media companies as well as other unfair trading practices that harm American companies, workers, farmers, and technology innovators,” Greer said in the statement.

“USTR has detailed Brazil’s unfair trade practices that restrict the ability of U.S. exporters to access its market for decades in the annual National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report. After consulting with other government agencies, cleared advisers, and Congress, I have determined that Brazil’s tariff and non-tariff barriers merit a thorough investigation, and potentially, responsive action.”

Brazil has as yet not given an official response to the announcement of Greer’s investigation; however, after Trump revealed his plan to impose the 50 percent rate on July 9, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a statement on social media platform X saying that “any unilateral tariff increases will be addressed in accordance with Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law.”

In the statement, Lula also said in relation to Trump’s linking of the tariffs to Bolsonaro’s trial, “Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions.”

By Guy Birchall

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

If Federal Food Assistance Programs End, Theft Begins

Many patriotic Americans well versed in American History have...

Tucker EN FUEGO: Taking Stock of MAGA, Ten Years on

Draining of the Swamp has yet to come anything close to fruition, as the creatures that populate said Swamp yet cling bitterly to power.

Tylenol’s Headache

When President Trump, RFK Jr., and Dr. Mehmet Oz called for pregnant women to avoid using acetaminophen, Tylenol got the headache.

American Restaurants Are Going Broke

U.S. restaurant bankruptcies surged to 22% in 2020 amid COVID-19 and stayed elevated at 14% last year due to Biden’s “Build Back Better” policy.

A Few Fun Alternatives to the”Gory Stuff” at Halloween

Halloween has gone off the rails with gore through the decades.  But there are ways to enjoy the "scary stuff" without giving into darker, pagan alliances.  

Emergency Funds Can’t Be Used to Keep Food Stamps Flowing: USDA

Emergency funds held by the USDA cannot be used to keep the food stamp program going if members of Congress don’t reach a funding agreement.

Democratic Unity Frays as Shutdown Drags On

A handful of legislators have crossed the aisle on reopening and worker-pay bills, testing Democratic party unity in week four of the shutdown

Federal Judge Strikes Down Biden-Era HHS Transgender Care Rule

A federal judge struck down a Biden-era rule extending federal health care anti-discrimination protections to individuals seeking transgender-related treatment.

US Sending Carrier Strike Group to Latin America, Pentagon Says

The Pentagon on Friday announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier to Latin America to target drug trafficking organizations.

Donor Gives $130 Million to Cover Shortfall in Troop Pay During Shutdown

Trump announced on Oct. 23 that an anonymous donor sent $130M to cover military pay during the ongoing government shutdown.

‘Frustration’ With Canada Led to Trump Scrapping Talks, Not Just Ontario’s Ad: US Official

President Trump cited Ontario’s TV ad as the reason for halting Canada trade talks, but officials say it stems from rising U.S. frustration with Ottawa.

Ontario to Pause Anti-Tariff Ad After Trump Terminates Trade Talks With Canada

Ontario pauses its TV ad campaign after Premier Doug Ford’s talk with PM Mark Carney, following backlash that halted U.S.-Canada trade talks.

Trump Terminates Trade Negotiations With Canada Over Anti-Tariffs Ad Featuring Reagan

President Trump is terminating all trade negotiations with Canada over a TV ad campaign sponsored by the provincial govt. of Ontario opposing U.S. tariffs.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central