Brazil Maps Four-Pronged Strategy to Counter Trump’s Tariff Hikes

Brazil has drawn up a four-point plan to blunt the impact of steep U.S. import tariffs imposed this year by President Donald Trump, according to a government strategy document reported by CNN Brasil. The first and “priority” front is direct negotiation with Washington. Vice President Geraldo Alckmin is coordinating talks across the foreign affairs, finance, industry and agriculture ministries, while Finance Minister Fernando Haddad is scheduled to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent next week. Brasília aims to secure carve-outs for some products hit by Trump’s measures, which started with an extra 10% levy in April and escalated to a 40% surcharge in July. Domestically, the government is preparing tax relief, export incentives and emergency credit for sectors hurt by the tariff hikes, and is pressing exporters to diversify sales toward the EU, India, China and other Asian markets. A fourth, still preliminary, track contemplates reciprocal trade penalties. Officials stress any retaliation would comply with international rules and would be deployed only if negotiations stall.