The US accepts Brazil's request at the WTO, but argues that tariffs are a "matter of national security."
The country argued that certain requests from Brazil are "political issues not subject to review or resolution by the WTO."
(Reuters)- The United States has accepted a request for consultation from Brazil at the World Trade Organization regarding tariffs imposed on its products, even though Brazil argues that the tariffs are a matter of national security, according to a document published on the WTO website.
US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on most Brazilian products exported to the US earlier this month in response to what he called a "witch hunt" against his Brazilian ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial accused of plotting a coup after his 2022 election defeat.
In the document submitted to the WTO on Monday, the US argues that certain requests from Brazil relate to national security issues, which are "political matters not subject to review or resolution by the WTO dispute settlement system."
The tariffs, the document adds, were necessary because Brazil's recent policies and practices are "undermining the rule of law and threatening the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States."
