In a letter to Flávio, Rubio reinforces the US position in defense of tariffs

In a letter sent to Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, reinforced the North American position in defense of the application of tariffs on imports of Brazilian products. The document was released this Friday (26) by the pre-candidate's campaign for Palácio do Planalto.

In early June, Flávio sent a letter to Rubio asking the Trump administration to spare Brazil from the new tariff proposal.

In his response, the US secretary recalls the argument of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) when proposing the imposition of 25% duties on all imports from Brazil, except for goods that qualify as "subject to national security tariffs".

The agency says it has determined that the Brazilian government's policies on digital commerce, certain tariffs and illegal deforestation are subject to legal action under so-called Section 301 of the Act - a trade policy tool that allows Americans to investigate and retaliate against other nations against trade practices considered unfair.

Rubio also highlighted that Ambassador Jamieson Greer proposed corrective measures for public consultation, before any measure was definitively adopted.

"This determination and proposed corrective measures stem from an investigation initiated in July 2025 at the specific direction of President Trump," he wrote.

Ambassador Greer made it clear that we continue to have substantial disagreements regarding the resolution of the issues identified in this investigation. These issues concern digital commerce, electronic payment services, unfair preferential tariffs, the application of anti-corruption measures, the protection of intellectual property, access to the ethanol market and illegal deforestation.

Marco Rubio, United States Secretary of State

According to the secretary, any interested Brazilian party will be able to participate in the consultation period and the public hearing on the matter, scheduled for July 6th. Requests, however, should have been submitted by June 22.

As CNN showed, the Brazilian government should not have representatives at the hearing.

Rubio also mentioned the Brazilian elections, citing Flávio's "optimism" about the election and the senator's intention to offer a transition team to the US, if elected. "The United States stands ready to work cooperatively with the leaders chosen by the Brazilian people to pursue a comprehensive, fair, and mutually beneficial trade and investment framework," he says.

He also thanked Flávio for his support for the United States' decision to classify the CV (Comando Vermelho) and the PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital) as terrorists.

"The United States recognizes that the violence and sophisticated criminal networks of these factions threaten the security of upstanding citizens throughout our common hemisphere. By attacking their financial, drug, and weapons networks, we are taking decisive action to protect both the Brazilian and American people against transnational organized crime."

See the full letter

First part of the letter released by Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign - Reproduction

Second part of the letter released by Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign - Reproduction

Tariff: It makes no sense for the government to participate in a public hearing in the USA, says minister | CNN 360°

*With information from Isabel Mega, from CNN Brasil

Source: CNN