Siderúrgics want taxation from the Lula administration against Chinese steel

In mid -2024, Brazil adopted measures to contain the entrance of Chinese steel. The rule established a quota. Above a particular volume, the Chinese product would pay 25% taxes. The hope was that, with this, a containment would occur in relation to China products.

But the national sector warns that the strategy did not work. Data obtained by Facto News point out that, in the first three months of 2025 alone, Brazil bought 1 million tons of Chinese steel, 42% above the same period by 2024.

“It was not an effective measure,” laments Gerdau’s CEO. “Our debate currently with the federal government is that, by the twelve months of the mechanism, that it is strengthened from June,” he explained.

According to him, the government has kept a “very active listening” and is open to the debate. In Brasilia, however, what the technicians evaluate is how to renew business defense, without violating international rules that are aligned with bilateral agreements.

“We see steel penetrating Brazil at a price lower than Chinese companies pay in iron ore that China buys from Brazil,” warns Werneck. “In this search for maintenance of employment and income in China, the government has placed a lot of public money or subsidy to keep companies operating and exporting,” he said. “This is what is hurting Brazil,” he insisted.

The entrepreneur, however, rejects that what he asks for is a protectionist action. “We never talk about protection. We want defense, which aims to put isonomic competition conditions,” he said.