US launches probe into Brazil’s trade practices
CNN
The United States has launched an investigation into “unfair” trading practices by Brazil, escalating President Donald Trump’s spat with the world’s 10th-largest economy over issues including the criminal case against its former President Jair Bolsonaro.
The United States has launched an investigation into “unfair” trading practices by Brazil, escalating President Donald Trump’s spat with the world’s 10th-largest economy over issues including the criminal case against its former President Jair Bolsonaro. The investigation will focus on digital trade and electronic payment services, preferential tariffs, and anti-corruption interference, as well as intellectual property protection, to determine whether there are “unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict” American commerce, according to a statement by the United States Trade Representative (USTR). It will also look into ethanol market access and illegal deforestation. “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,” Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer said. “I have determined that Brazil’s tariff and non-tariff barriers merit a thorough investigation, and potentially, responsive action.” Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 is designed to address unfair foreign practices affecting US commerce, and could be used to respond to unreasonable, or discriminatory foreign government practices, according to the USTR statement.
