Brazil rejects U.S. tariffs, stands firm against trade wars

Wednesday 12 February 2025 - 11:36

In response to the imposition of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Brazilian government affirmed on Tuesday that Brazil would not engage in "any trade wars." The country expressed its commitment to upholding free trade and strengthening international relations despite the potential economic consequences of the tariffs.

Brazilian Minister of Institutional Relations, Alexandre Padilha, emphasized that Brazil does not encourage and will not participate in trade conflicts. "We have always supported and will continue to support the strengthening of free trade," Padilha told the press.

Announced on Monday, the tariffs threaten to impact Brazil's economy, as the United States is one of the largest consumers of Brazilian steel and aluminum. Furthermore, President Trump warned that any retaliatory measures by affected countries would result in "automatic" increases in tariffs.

Padilha also noted that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, along with other global leaders, has made it clear that "a trade war benefits no one." He emphasized that one of the greatest achievements in recent years has been the establishment of dialogue platforms between nations and the promotion of free trade.

Earlier in January, President Lula had signaled a more combative stance, stating, "It’s simple: if they tax Brazilian products, we will reciprocate by taxing U.S. exports."

In 2024, Brazil exported $6.37 billion worth of iron, steel, and aluminum products, with $6.10 billion from steel and iron and $267 million from aluminum, according to Brazil's Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce, and Services.