Taxes on steel and aluminum harm historic partnership between Brazil and the US, warns CNI president.
Ricardo Alban advocates for dialogue to find a bilateral solution, but criticizes a measure that affects the complementary relationship between the industries of the two countries.
247 - The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) expressed concern and disagreement regarding the 25% tax imposed by the United States on Brazilian steel and aluminum exports, which came into effect this Wednesday (12). According to the CNI, the measure directly impacts the competitiveness of the national productive sector and threatens the relationship of complementarity and partnership consolidated between the industries of Brazil and the USA.
“Historically, our relationship with the US has always valued the competitive advantages of each country, with mutual gains, especially in these segments. The taxation shows a complete lack of understanding of the complementarity we have built over the years,” stated the president of the CNI (National Confederation of Industry), Ricardo Alban, in a note released this Wednesday. He acknowledged the Brazilian government's efforts to find a solution, but advocated firmness in negotiations to reverse the taxes, which he described as “disproportionate.”
Alban highlighted that the global repositioning of the United States is a concern for Brazilian industry. “We have no doubt that there is a misunderstanding regarding the relationship with Brazil, especially concerning steel and aluminum,” he emphasized. “We have a complementary export of intermediate products, which allow the US to add value to a whole line of equipment, including automotive equipment. And Brazil is one of the major buyers of these goods,” he added.
The United States is Brazil's main partner in exports of manufactured goods, especially in technologically intensive products, trade in services, and bilateral investments. In 2024, the Brazilian manufacturing industry exported US$31,6 billion worth of products to the US. Furthermore, Brazil is the fourth largest supplier of iron and steel to the US, with 54% of Brazilian exports of these products destined for that country.
According to the president of the CNI (National Confederation of Industry), the perception of complementarity in trade and industry between the two countries needs to be taken into account in the negotiations. “Obviously, there are political and strategic decisions for each country, especially in an integrated world, but I think the most appropriate way to resolve the impasses is through dialogue,” stated Alban. He assured that the CNI, together with sectoral associations, will work with the Brazilian government to find the best solution for the situation.
The tariffs imposed by the US have generated concerns in the Brazilian industrial sector, which fears prolonged negative impacts on competitiveness and trade relations between the two countries. The CNI (National Confederation of Industry) reinforces the need for a diplomatic approach to preserve the economic and industrial ties built over decades.
Read the full note:
The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) expresses concern and disagreement regarding the 25% tax imposed by the United States on steel and aluminum exported by Brazil. The measure came into effect this Wednesday (12) and directly affects the competitiveness of the national productive sector, with negative impacts on the relationship of complementarity and partnership consolidated between Brazilian and North American industries.
“Historically, our relationship with the US has always valued the competitive advantages of each country, with mutual gains, especially in these segments. The taxation shows a complete lack of understanding of the complementarity we have built over the years,” says the president of CNI, Ricardo Alban.
He acknowledges the Brazilian government's commitment to seeking a solution with the US, but advocates for firmness in negotiations to reverse the tariffs considered "disproportionate" imposed on Brazil. "The global repositioning of the United States worries us. We have no doubt that there is a misunderstanding regarding the relationship with Brazil, especially concerning steel and aluminum," emphasizes Alban.
“We have a complementary export of intermediate products, which allow the US to add value to a whole range of equipment, including automotive. And Brazil is one of the major buyers of these goods,” adds the president of the CNI.
The United States is Brazil's main partner in exports of manufactured goods, especially products with higher technological intensity, trade in services, and bilateral investments. In 2024, the Brazilian manufacturing industry exported US$31,6 billion worth of products to the US. Furthermore, Brazil is the fourth largest supplier of iron and steel to the US – 54% of Brazilian exports of these products go to that country.
According to the president of the CNI (National Confederation of Industry), the perception of complementarity in trade and industry between the two countries needs to be taken into account in the negotiations. “Obviously, there are political and strategic decisions for each country, especially in an integrated world, but I think the most appropriate way to resolve the impasses is through dialogue. The CNI, together with the sectoral associations, will work with the Brazilian government to find the best solution to the situation,” assures Alban.
