BRASILIA, Feb 20 - Brazil's Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin described a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down wide-ranging tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump as an important development for his country, saying it removed duties aimed specifically at Brazil and helped to restore the nation's competitiveness in U.S. markets.
Alckmin, who also serves as Brazil's development, industry and trade minister, delivered his comments at a press conference in Brasilia, and stressed that while the ruling was significant, officials should proceed with caution as they assess its implications and next steps.
He reiterated that Brazil plans to continue negotiating both trade and non-trade matters with Washington. The vice-president pointed to the practical effect of the now-vacated measures, noting that the country was disadvantaged by tariffs that did not apply to other trading partners.
"Brazil had an additional 40% tariff that no one else had. That was the problem. We were effectively losing competitiveness," Alckmin told journalists, framing the court decision as a corrective to that competitive imbalance.
The tariffs at issue were initially imposed by Trump in August and carried a 40% rate on several Brazilian products, a move he tied to what he described as a "witch hunt" against Brazil's former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. Over time, some exemptions were granted as U.S. inflation rose and following discussions between U.S. and Brazilian leaders. In November, Trump removed additional tariffs on a range of Brazilian food goods, including coffee and beef.
Alckmin also addressed a separate announcement by Trump on Friday indicating an intent to impose a uniform 10% tariff on imports from all countries. The vice-president said a blanket tariff applied equally across trading partners would not erode Brazil's competitiveness in the same way as the previously targeted 40% duties, since it would affect imports from all nations on an equal basis.
While the statement from Alckmin signaled a welcome change for exporters who faced steep, nation-specific levies, he emphasized the need for measured diplomatic engagement as Brazil and the United States work through the implications of the court ruling and any subsequent policy moves.
Context note: The comments summarized here reflect statements made by Vice-President Alckmin at the press conference in Brasilia and reference actions and statements attributed to former President Trump in the context described by Alckmin.