Brazil has formally requested consultations with the United States under the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement system over tariffs announced by the Trump administration earlier this month.
In a statement on Monday, Brazil’s Foreign Relations Ministry said the request challenges a 25% tariff imposed by the US on selected Brazilian imports over alleged unfair trade practices, as well as tariffs of up to 12.5% on goods from dozens of countries, including Brazil, linked to allegations of inadequate enforcement of forced labour regulations.
Brazil argued that the measures are “unjustified and inconsistent” with the US’ obligations under the WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government had previously announced plans to bring the dispute before the WTO, saying the tariffs violate international trade rules.
Brazil also took similar action last year in response to an earlier round of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Those measures were later struck down by the US Supreme Court.
The consultation request marks the first formal step in the WTO’s dispute settlement process, with both countries expected to seek a negotiated resolution before any further legal proceedings.
