Durigan says PIX does not harm Americans and defends 'rationality' in US decision on tariffs

Minister Dario Durigan in an interview with g1
Reproduction/TV Globo
The Minister of Finance, Dario Durigan, defended in an exclusive interview with g1 this Friday (3) that rationality prevail in the United States' decision on the proposal to apply an additional tariff of 25% on Brazilian goods.

The US Trade Office (USTR) conducted an investigation based on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and concluded that practices adopted by Brazil "encumber or restrict" trade with the North Americans.
"These are arguments that, when put forward, Brazil is right. So, I hope that rationality prevails, the technical argument prevails and these tariffs do not remain in place in relation to Brazil", said the minister.
The USTR's final report listed, in areas, the Donald Trump government's concerns in relation to Brazil: digital commerce and payment services (PIX); regulation of social networks; unfair preferential tariffs; illegal deforestation; access to the ethanol market; and protection of intellectual property.
The text states that the Central Bank (BC) favors PIX, to the detriment of American payment systems. The USTR also criticizes the fact that the BC acts at the same time as regulator and operator of the system, imposing its use and limiting the fees charged by competitors.
"The argument that PIX harms North American actors makes no sense. (...) PIX is a means of payment, it is an infrastructure that Brazil developed by several hands, a long time ago, and which is offered universally. Any company, anyone operating in Brazil has access to PIX", stated Durigan.
The new rate is not yet in effect. Under American law, the formal investigation must be completed and a series of public consultations must be carried out before the measures come into force.
Last Thursday (2), the Brazilian government presented the country's formal defense to the United States. The document, signed by Chancellor Mauro Vieira, was also divided into thematic areas.
Since the USTR report was released, Brazilian and American authorities have held working meetings. In the most recent virtual meeting, the government proposed a "road map", expanding guarantees that the practices adopted by Brazil are legitimate and are not harmful to United States trade.

"When we look at Section 301, which are specific accusations, what seems to me is that they are outdated. I think they are thinking that they are still talking to the previous government. They say: "deforestation in Brazil is high". No. This information is outdated. When the herds were passing and deforestation was high, it was under the previous government. Now, we have minimal deforestation in the Amazon, in the Atlantic Forest."
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Source: G1