Brazilian industry supports the government in the face of Trump's tariffs and calls for negotiation

Brasilia, Jul 15 (EFE) - The main employers of Brazilian industry on Tuesday expressed their support for the position taken by the government against the US tariff threat and expressed their support for a negotiation that would prevent an escalation of the trade conflict.

CAMERA: ALEX MIRKHAN.

FOOTAGE OF THE MEETING OF MEMBERS OF THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT WITH BUSINESS LEADERS REGARDING THE TARIFFS ANNOUNCED BY DONALD TRUMP.

STATEMENTS BY RICARDO ALVAREZ ALBAN, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF INDUSTRY (CNI), AND GERALDO ALCKMIN, VICE PRESIDENT OF BRAZIL.

TRANSLATION:

RICARDO ÁLVAREZ ALBAN:

"It makes no sense for Brazil to fall from one extreme to the other without any economic motivation. This is crucial; it is not speculation or conjecture. That is the first point. The second is that we need an official dialogue for this to happen. And certainly on the Brazilian side, both the MDIC (Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are capable. As the vice-president himself said, a letter was sent on July 4, there was a meeting and we are waiting. It is obvious that this will be resolved. As for the 90 days we are requesting, it is also obvious that the government is willing to spend the necessary time. But it is also obvious that if we can resolve this before August 31, this stability will benefit us."

GERALDO ALCKMIN:

1. "We listened to everyone; it was a very fruitful meeting. I presented President Lula's message about the government's commitment to review this situation. And what we heard here is ‘negotiation’. In other words, a commitment to review, which coincides with the proposal of the Brazilian government and President Lula."

2. "The commitment of the productive sector was expressed here, which will dialogue with their counterparts in the United States about who they sell to and who they buy from. So let's involve them as well, because it is an important relationship that has repercussions in the United States." "And it's worth noting that from January to June of this year, exports from Brazil to the United States increased by 4.37% and exports from the United States to Brazil increased by 11.48%. Therefore, at a time when US exports to Brazil are at a record level, almost three times higher than our exports, this tariff decision is completely incomprehensible. And for that reason, we must all unite to reverse it."