Lula government confirms it will consider measures against Trump, including at the WTO

247 – The Brazilian government lamented this Wednesday (12) the imposition of trade tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by U.S. President Donald Trump and stated that it will evaluate "all possible actions in the field of foreign trade," including through the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to a joint statement from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (MDIC).

The 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports began to be applied by the United States this Wednesday.

In the statement, the ministries also affirm that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government "considers the imposition of unilateral barriers that affect trade between Brazil and the United States unjustifiable and mistaken, especially given the history of cooperation and economic integration between the two countries," and recall that the U.S. has a trade surplus with Brazil.

The Brazilian government will not immediately retaliate against the United States following the decision by the U.S. administration, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said on Wednesday, emphasizing that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called for a calm assessment of the issue.

The Brazilian government managed to open a negotiation channel with the U.S. after talks last week between Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Geraldo Alckmin, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, as well as between Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Green. (With information from Reuters).