European Union's Executive Body
Brazilian Senators embark on Mission to Washington to Discuss Tariffs
A delegation of Brazilian senators will travel to Washington, D.C., on July 28, 2023, to discuss the impending tariffs on Brazilian exports to the United States. The mission, led by Senators Tereza Cristina (PP-MS) and Jaques Wagner (PT-BA), aims to strengthen dialogue with North American authorities and parliamentarians to reverse the 50% tax imposed on Brazilian exports.
The delegation includes Senators Rogério Carvalho (SE), Astronaut Marcos Pontes (PL-SP), Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG), Fernando Farias (MDB-AL), and Esperidiano Amin (PP-SC). Senator Nelsinho Trad (PSD-MS) chairs the mission.
On Tuesday, July 29, the delegation will meet with unspecified North American authorities. In the afternoon, the group will meet with business leadership at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The delegation's first meeting will take place at the Brazilian embassy. On Wednesday, July 30, the delegation will meet with representatives of sectors and trade authorities. The mission is expected to conclude with a press conference in the morning of Wednesday, July 30.
Senator Tereza Cristina expressed optimism that the mission will be successful in reversing the tariffs. She stated that the tariffs will significantly harm various sectors and affect job generation in Brazil. Senator Nelsinho Trad echoed these sentiments, stating that the tariffs are unwarranted and will negatively impact the economic relationship between the two nations.
The commission wanted to give an institutional character to the mission, emphasizing the importance of the dialogue between the two countries. The mission comes as the U.S., under President Donald Trump, has threatened to impose 50% tariffs on "any and all Brazilian products" effective August 1, 2023. The U.S. Trade Representative was directed to initiate a Section 301 investigation into Brazil.
President Lula da Silva has denied the U.S. claims and committed to continuing negotiations to avoid these tariffs, while also preparing retaliatory measures based on Brazil’s newly enacted Economic Reciprocity Act. As of late July 2025, tariff negotiations between Brazil and the United States remain tense and unresolved. The U.S. lawmakers including Senators Shaheen and Kaine have publicly criticized the tariff threat as a misuse of power tied to U.S. political agendas rather than genuine trade concerns, urging the administration to end the threat and favor negotiations.
The delegation's activities will take place on July 29 and 30, 2023, the last day of the mission. The senators are hopeful that their discussions will lead to a resolution and the removal of the tariffs, ensuring the continued economic prosperity of both nations.
- The senators aim to discuss with North American authorities, including those at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, about the imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian exports in the finance and industry sectors, which they believe will have a significant impact on various sectors and job generation in Brazil.
- Senator Nelsinho Trad, leading the delegation, has emphasized that these tariffs are unwarranted and will negatively impact the economic relationship between Brazil and the United States, particularly in sectors like politics and general-news reporting that may be influenced by the economic situation.
