Haddad downplays the impact of the fare hike and says the government is ready to "help families harmed" by Trump.

247 - In a statement made this Tuesday (5), during a meeting of the Sustainable Economic and Social Development Council, the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad (PT), highlighted the recent advances in the Brazilian economy and minimized the effects of the tariff increase imposed by the President of the United States, Donald Trump. According to Haddad, the government is prepared to protect the segments most affected by the measure, especially the sectors that generate many jobs, such as fruit growing.

The minister's speech was marked by an optimistic tone and a defense of the economic model adopted in recent years. "Obviously, everyone is very apprehensive about what is happening, but this week there was a lot of good news that was overshadowed by events in the political sphere," said Haddad, mentioning that important achievements have been obscured by political tensions.

Positive indicators and "quality of fiscal adjustment" Among the points highlighted by the minister are Brazil's removal from the Hunger Map, the reduction of unemployment to a historic low of 5,8%, and the increase in income over the last three years, "as had not occurred since the Real Plan." Haddad also mentioned inflation, which is expected to close the year below 5%, and social inequality, which is also at its lowest level in the historical series.

Regarding public finances, the minister highlighted the improvement in primary results and rejected the idea that fiscal balance is being achieved at the expense of the poorest population: “We are not making fiscal adjustments at the expense of the poorest, the workers. We are preserving health, investments in education, in social assistance, in infrastructure,” he said. He also stated that “the quality of the fiscal adjustment is as important as its purpose.”

Exports and the limited impact of the tariff increase. Haddad also addressed the effects of the tariff increase on Brazilian products announced by President Donald Trump. The minister stressed that, although the measure will affect some national exports, the impact will be limited and manageable.

“Exports to the US once represented 25% of our exports. Thanks to the policy you initiated back in 2003, of opening markets to Brazilian products, they now represent 12%. Of that 12%, 4% are affected by the tariff increase. And of that 4%, more than 2% will naturally have another destination, because they are commodities with international prices that will find their destination in the short or medium term,” he explained.

Nevertheless, Haddad acknowledged the vulnerability of certain segments and assured that the government is paying attention. “We know that within this 1,5% there are very vulnerable sectors, sectors that generate a lot of employment – ​​such as fruit farming – sectors that require special attention from us, which will be given,” he stated, guaranteeing that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has the necessary tools to “help these families harmed by an aggression that has already been called unjust, undue, and inconsistent with the 200 years of fraternal relationship that binds us to the people of the United States.”

Investments are booming and there's a message of optimism. At the end of his speech, the minister highlighted the record volume of investments in industry and infrastructure, classifying the current moment as the best in the last 15 years in this sector. Given the turbulent international scenario, Haddad emphasized a positive stance in the face of the challenges: “We have to look at all of this amidst the geopolitical situation we are experiencing. We have to look at it with optimism, because without optimism I wouldn't advise anyone to take on the Ministry of Finance of Brazil.”