RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – President Jair Bolsonaro announced yesterday, December 20th, during a Facebook live broadcast, that the US government will no longer surcharge Brazilian steel and aluminum exports.
According to Bolsonaro, the commitment was undertaken by US President Donald Trump himself during a phone call.
“Just now, I had the pleasure of receiving a phone call from Mr. Donald Trump, President of the United States, a conversation of approximately 15 minutes in the highest expression of respect and cordiality between two heads of state. I understand what he intended to do and I presented my argument. He was persuaded by my reasoning and decided to tell us all, Brazilians, that our steel and aluminum will not be surcharged. I repeat, they will not be surcharged,” said Bolsonaro.
The live broadcast was attended by Ernesto Araújo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Filipe Martins, Special Advisor for International Affairs to the Presidency.
Earlier this month, Trump announced on his Twitter account that he would restore tariffs on Brazilian and Argentine steel and aluminum. He said the measure would be a US response to the devaluation of the two countries’ domestic currencies.
In late August this year, the US government relaxed imports of these products when it decided that US companies trading steel from Brazil would not have to pay 25 percent more than the original price as long as they prove there is a lack of raw material in the domestic market. Brazil is among the main steel and iron suppliers to the United States.
“It is evidence that Brazil’s relationship with the United States is very productive, we are building an excellent relationship, we are providing solid results, solid results for the Brazilian economy,” Ernesto Araújo said during the live broadcast.
The US president commented on the telephone call to Bolsonaro on his Twitter account:
“I just had a great phone conversation with the president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro. We talked about several topics including foreign trade. The relationship between the United States and Brazil has never been stronger”.
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20th, 2019