In an audience in the USA, Flávio Bolsonaro says that this moment is the 'worst possible' for new tariffs and that they would benefit Lula

Flávio Bolsonaro arrives at hearing in the US on tariffs
The pre-candidate for the Presidency of the Republic for the PL, senator Flávio Bolsonaro, spoke at a public hearing in the United States this Tuesday (7) about the new tariffs.
At the time, he was accompanied by his brother, the impeached deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro - who lives in the United States - and made the statement in English.
"Brazil will hold presidential elections in October. In just 90 days, the country's political scenario will change completely, and imposing a tariff now, which would be difficult to reverse, would reward those responsible for the actions in question", he said.
The senator also mentioned that this is the "worst possible moment" to apply the measure and defended the postponement.
"Punishing those who have already borne the consequences would be the worst possible moment to act. I respectfully ask this country: do not impose tariffs on Brazil. Preserve the success of this partnership, cancel it and let's negotiate", he continued. Brazil and cited there being "great chances" of a change in the Brazilian government in January.
"I think you are using tariffs (...) to achieve the objective you want. If the intention is to put pressure on Brazil, this is not the correct way to do it. This is not the appropriate way. There are targeted instruments that can be used against individuals", he explained.
REMEMBER: US tariff: first day of hearing has technical criticism of new sanctions, but decision will be political
Response formal
The Brazilian government had already presented a formal response this month to the conclusion of the United States investigation into the new tariff proposal.
At the time, the American government accused Brazil of "unreasonable" practices that "encumber or restrict" trade with the North Americans.
In a document sent to the American government and signed by Chancellor Mauro Vieira, Brazil argued that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) did not prove that Brazilian policies are discriminatory or create barriers to US trade.
The Executive also stated that American criticism of PIX and decisions of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) are not commercial issues, but disagreements about Brazilian internal policies.
According to Itamaraty, using these themes to justify trade sanctions would excessively expand the scope of the American legislation used in the investigation.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a US hearing against tariffs
Disclosure
Corruption, criticism of Lula and PIX
During the public hearing this morning, Flávio Bolsonaro also spoke about corruption, criticized President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and defended the PIX - system of instant payment created by the Central Bank (BC).
"Corruption is one of the biggest challenges faced by the Brazilian people. There is no disagreement about this. But corruption has identifiable culprits. The four biggest corruption scandals in Brazil's recent history - the Mensalão scheme, the case revealed by Operation Lava Jato, the fraud involving the National Social Security Institute (INSS), in which President Lula's own son is among those investigated", he stressed.
The senator also mentioned the benefits of the PIX - which always attributes the management of its father, former president Jair Bolsonaro - to American companies.
"Brazil's instant payments system was created during the [Jair] Bolsonaro administration. PIX is not the problem; it is a solution. It expanded financial inclusion by integrating millions of Brazilians - especially the poorest - into the formal economy. Furthermore, it continues to directly benefit American companies", he continued.
Shortly before the speech, Flávio even made a publication Our fight is for Brazil and all Brazilians!"
Participation in the public hearings promoted by USTR is open to interested parties who register - this is how Flávio Bolsonaro won the space to speak at the event.
The senator sent the American authority a request to appear and a summary of the testimony he intended to make.
In the documents, Flávio asked for five minutes to speak, the standard time for participation in the event, and informed that he would speak in English and in person.
The politician presented himself as a member of the Federal Senate of Brazil and pre-candidate for the Presidency of the Republic. He reported having personally met with US President Donald Trump to discuss the topics of the investigation.
The federal government did not send representatives to speak for the Executive at the hearings, but sent observers.
Representatives from technical areas and the productive sector presented their arguments on the first day of presentations on the new tariff.
Flávio Bolsonaro met with Trump at the White House at the end of 2019. May
Reproduction/Instagram/@FlavioBolsonaro via BBC

Source: G1