The United States Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, defended the new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump against Brazil. According to Greer, the measures announced by the White House are “practically definitive,” and the possibility of immediate re-evaluation is ruled out.
“These tariffs are practically definitive,” the representative stated in an interview aired this Sunday (3) by the American broadcaster CBS, according to RFI. When asked about the chance of negotiations to reduce the rates, he replied that this is unlikely “in the next few days.”
On last Thursday (07/31), Trump signed an executive order establishing new import tariffs for dozens of countries, with rates ranging from 10% to 41%. The new rules will take effect on August 7, to allow U.S. customs to adapt to the collection.
The harshest penalty was directed at Brazil, whose exports to the United States will now be taxed at 50%. The measure is interpreted as a direct response to the handling of judicial actions against President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), a political ally of Trump. According to Greer, “it is normal to use these tools (tariffs) for geopolitical reasons.”
The representative also reiterated that “the president observed in Brazil, as in other countries, an abuse of the law, an abuse of democracy.” At another point in the interview, when confronted by the journalist about the political impact of the tariffs, Greer responded: “That’s his [Trump’s] job as president. He was elected to assess the situation of U.S. foreign policy matters and take appropriate measures.”
The executive order signed by Trump also impacts other major trading partners. Products from the European Union, Japan, and South Korea will face 15% tariffs. For the United Kingdom, the rate will be 10%. Indonesia, Vietnam, and Taiwan will have products taxed at 19% and 20%, respectively. “We can clearly see the outlines of the president’s trade plan in the tariffs,” Greer analyzed.
In addition to the trade offensive, the U.S. government imposed economic sanctions on Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes, responsible for the trial of Jair Bolsonaro. The White House accuses him of leading an “illegal witch hunt against American and Brazilian citizens and companies” and of abusing his position to persecute political opponents with the support of other STF justices.
In response, Moraes stated last Friday (08/01) that the STF “will not yield to threats” from the Donald Trump government.
Source: www.brasil247.com