Alckmin: We were included in the smaller fare, but we didn’t find it fair

Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said on Thursday, 3, that although Brazil was hit with the lowest 10%aliquot in the “tariff” announced by US President Donald Trump, the measure is still bad and unfair. He praised the approval of the reciprocity bill (PL) by Congress, but said the government does not intend to use this legislation.

“We do not intend to use it, what we want to do is dialogue and negotiation,” he said in an interview with MAGNO BLOG. The PL of reciprocity approved by Congress establishes criteria for Brazil to respond to “unilateral measures” adopted by countries or economic blocs that affect the country’s international competitiveness.

Alckmin stated that Brazil does not consider the measure announced by the US fair. Next week, according to him, there will be a meeting for negotiations between the technical teams. “Of the 10 products we bought the most from the United States, in eight the import rate is zero. Brazil is no problem. So we were included in the smaller tariff, but we don’t find it fair,” he said.

He said Brazil will try to improve and expand reciprocal investment opportunities and complementarity in the economic chain with the United States. “Foreign trade is positive. If I’m more competitive in an area, seeing for you. If you’re more competitive, it sells to me. It gets the whole of society. Complementarity in the economic chain. You make one piece, the other makes another, the other adds, you assemble. This is a good way,” he explained.

The vice president also evaluated that the unilateral decision of the US is not good for commerce, as it creates insecurity and unpredictability, and decreases investments. He stated that Brazil will be aware of market deviations and criteria for any foreign trade change. On the other hand, Alckmin assessed that “tariff” will accelerate the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU).

Alckmin also said the US attempt to attract companies is a “half a century ago.” “He (Trump) is trying to attract back companies to the United States, but this is a half -century thing when you had a policy of replacing imports. I will replace imports to produce here, so I do protectionism. But the world is different. But we have to respect the decision of other countries and protect and defend Brazilian commerce. So searching markets,” he said.