Production sector makes a manifesto and pushes against the end of the blouse tax

Representatives of the productive sector launched this Wednesday (17), in Brasília, a manifesto in defense of tax equality and national competitiveness. The document criticizes the government's decision to reduce taxes on international purchases of up to US$50, a measure that became known as the end of the "blouse tax".

The manifesto was released just over a month after the federal government revoked the measure that was applied last year. The regulations zeroed the 20% import tax charged on international purchases of up to US$50, however, state taxes continue to be charged, varying between 17% and 20% depending on the location.

In the text, the entities state that the measures increase the difference in treatment between companies based in Brazil and foreign competitors. The manifesto maintains that, while Brazilian companies are subject to tax, labor, environmental and consumer protection legislation, international platforms continue to operate at lower costs.

Among the main points, the parliamentary fronts defend that any tax reductions granted to international purchases should also be extended to national companies.

"Defending tax equality does not mean defending privileges. It means ensuring that all economic agents are subject to the same rules and contribute equally to the country's development", states the document. The manifesto summarizes the demand in one sentence: "If you download it for foreigners, you have to download it for Brazilians."

During the event, the executive director of ABVTEX (Brazilian Textile Retail Association), Edmundo Lima, stated that the end of the so-called "blouse tax" worries the sector by increasing competition considered unequal between Brazilian companies and international platforms.

"Unfair competition with foreigners throughout the country has already led to the loss of jobs, a decrease in income and the closure of points of sale. It has affected, affects and will continue to negatively affect industry, retail and even rural producers. The 20% tax brought encouragement and incentive to investment. Unfortunately, it was decided to revoke it. We are back in agony. And it is not just a metaphor. The recent numbers are eloquent", he said.

The president of the FPI (Mixed Parliamentary Front in Defense of Intellectual Property and Combating Piracy), deputy Julio Lopes (PP-RJ), stated that the debate needs to move beyond the tax issue and involve communication with society.

"We need to make a big call for legality in Brazil. We need to convince Brazilian society to opt for legality. The big issue is that we are losing a communication war. If we all don't understand that we have to give this issue another approach, with organized and structured communication, Brazilian society will not understand what is happening", he stated.

Para o parlamentar, a redução da tributação para remessas internacionais amplia uma desvantagem competitiva já enfrentada pelas empresas instaladas no país.

The chief economist of the CNC (National Confederation of Commerce in Goods, Services and Tourism), Fábio Bentes, argued that the discussion should not be treated just as a debate about increasing or reducing taxes.

"We were never in favor of tax increases. The National Trade Confederation's banner has always been to reduce taxation in the country. The big problem is no longer the level of taxation. The big problem is the lack of tax equality. This is what explains why a product can come from the other side of the world and still reach the Brazilian consumer under such competitive conditions", he stated.

According to him, studies by the entity indicate that the charge on international remittances helped to preserve sales and jobs in national retail segments. The entity filed a lawsuit with the STF (Supreme Federal Court) questioning the government's retreat.

President of the FCS (Parliamentary Front for Commerce and Services), deputy Domingos Sávio (PL-MG), defended that Congress seek alternatives to guarantee equal conditions between imported and national products.

"We are in favor of lowering taxes. Lower the tax on products that come from abroad, lower the tax on our products here too. This is the discussion that needs to be had. What is not reasonable is to create a situation in which the imported product has advantages that the Brazilian businessman does not have. We need to seek equal conditions for those who produce and create jobs in the country", he declared.

The parliamentarian also reported having presented an amendment to MP (Provisional Measure) 1,357/2026 - which ended the taxation of international remittances - proposing equivalent tax treatment for national products sold electronically.

The president of IDV (Institute for Retail Development), Jorge Gonçalves Filho stated that the sector is already facing a slowdown and job losses. According to him, the reduction in taxation for international remittances occurs at an unfavorable time for Brazilian trade.

"Estamos em torno de 100% de tributação e o produto que vem de fora apenas 17%. Esse estado de coisas não se consegue manter na economia. Isso leva realmente à queda do emprego e ao fechamento de empresas", afirmou. "When we talk about tax equality, we are very far from it. With the tax on blouses, the tax burden was around 45%. In some sectors of national retail, it exceeds 90%. Now the difference has become even greater. We are talking about a situation that leads to the loss of jobs, the closure of companies and the exit of investments from Brazil", he continued.

The president of UGT-DF (General Union of Workers of the Federal District), Newton Batista, said that the concern goes beyond companies and reaches workers in the clothing and footwear sectors.

"We have to defend Brazilian jobs and Brazilian families. I have to worry about worker safety, the quality of the product and, above all, the maintenance of jobs. We are talking about fathers and mothers of families who depend on these activities to support their homes and their children", he stated.

The manifesto was signed by FCS (Parliamentary Front for Commerce and Services), FPN (Parliamentary Front for the Business Environment), Parliamentary Front for Competitive Brazil, Mixed Parliamentary Front in Defense of Intellectual Property and Combating Piracy and Mixed Parliamentary Front José Alencar. The entities argue that the search for greater tax and competition equality is a permanent commitment of the Brazilian State to preserve jobs, investments and national production.

Source: CNN