Trump Tariffs: Three questions for the Front of Agriculture President

Deputy Pedro Lupion (PP-PR), president of the Parliamentary Front of Agriculture (FPA), which brings together 352 deputies and senators, evaluates that the tariff barriers of the Donald Trump government eventually “becoming a certain opportunity” for Brazilian agribusiness.

Last week, the FPA articulated the approval of the reciprocity law, which can be used to ensure equal conditions for Brazilian products in the international market.

Check out Lupion’s assessment of Trump’s measures, in an interview with Infomoney:

Infomoney – How did you receive the announcement of President Donald Trump about tariff barriers?

Pedro Lupion – Any announcement of tariff barriers causes concern, especially for an exporting country like Brazil. However, when analyzing the specific impact on Brazilian agribusiness, we realized that the announced package was milder than expected. It was evident that this is a measure with economic bias, focused mainly on US commercial balance. The United States has commercial surplus with Brazil, and is an important partner. For us, it turned out to be a certain opportunity, analyzing very coldly. We end up opening the opportunity for our market.

IM – Which sectors of agro should be most affected?

PL – Some specific agro segments may feel more the effects of new tariffs. Among them, we highlight orange juice – from which Brazil accounts for about 80% of world production – in addition to meat, wood, rubber and ethanol, which face higher tariffs. These are sectors that may have a greater impact.

IM – The front intends to act with the executive to negotiate with the US?

PL-At this time, we see no need to trigger the reciprocity law-newly approved by Congress and still awaiting presidential sanction. The most prudent now is to maintain balance and ensure that Brazil is at the negotiation table. We need to clearly identify what are the threats and the opportunities that this new scenario presents us.