Alckmin: we will accelerate negotiations with the USA to reduce tariffs and expand exports
The Vice President of the Republic and Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, Geraldo Alckmin, said this Friday (28) that the government is in a hurry to negotiate with the American government to reverse the higher rates, of up to 50%, on Brazilian products sold to the United States.
North American tariffs still affect 22% of Brazilian exports to the country, especially industrial products, such as machinery and equipment.
“We are going to commit ourselves and reduce this rate, because a rate of 40% or 50% makes no sense when of the ten products that the United States sells most to us, in eight the rate is zero, and the average rate is 2.7%”, commented Alckmin, in an interview given to the press at the exit of the inauguration ceremony of the Inmetro cyber police station.
“So, let’s accelerate this work to exclude more products and take advantage of new opportunities for economic complementarity between Brazil and the United States. We can create a win-win: more reciprocal investment, more foreign trade”, he added.
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Once again, Alckmin highlighted that the orientation given by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is to maintain dialogue with the Americans. “We are in a hurry, because the faster it is resolved, the more we export. And foreign trade means employment and income”, stated the vice-president.
Trade balance
The good news is that, even with the tariffs, Brazilian exports grew 9.1%, noted Alckmin, citing trade balance data from October.
Also highlighting the importance of opening markets abroad, Alckmin reiterated the expectation of signing the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union on December 20th.
Drop in unemployment
He also highlighted the release made this Friday by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) of the unemployment rate at a historic low: 5.4% in the quarter ended in October. “So, it’s a good moment. And it can get even better,” said the vice president.
