Tereza Cristina: reciprocity with the USA is not yet the way forward

Senator Tereza Cristina stated this Tuesday (2) that the new commercial offensive by the United States against Brazil - regarding the developments in the investigation conducted by the Americans based on Section 301 - is a cause for concern for Brazilian agribusiness, but assessed that it is not yet time for the country to adopt reciprocity measures.

"I think reciprocity is when you exhaust all phases of negotiation. So, I think it's clear that Brazil will have to make a little more effort in this negotiation, sit down more at the table, be patient. That's the role of the Executive. We here [in Congress] can help, but this is a fundamental role for the Executive to deal with the United States," the parliamentarian told journalists at the National Congress.

According to her, the measure could hinder Brazilian exports to a market considered strategic by the agricultural sector. The senator recalled that some products were excluded from the higher tariffs, but stated that the decision could make business in other segments unfeasible.

For her, it is necessary to understand the timing of negotiations and know "what homework" Brazil needs to do to "return to normality". However, she highlighted that the measure came at a bad time due to Donald Trump's recent decision to classify the criminal factions PCC and Comando Vermelho as terrorist activity.

The parliamentarian also stated that there is a political component to the American decision, but considered that it is still necessary to better understand the reasons for the measures.

"Look, it's clear that it has a political nature, everything has a political nature. Now, we have to understand this scenario a little better. We have a deficit with the Americans. So the justification isn't there. The justification is different. Of course, they look at it from a global perspective, but we need to understand this position better", he said.

Tereza Cristina considered that, by having a new US ambassador in the country, she can "open new conversations more closely".

For the senator, the Brazilian government must intensify conversations with Washington before evaluating any commercial reaction. She also defended the strengthening of parliamentary diplomacy and the maintenance of dialogue channels with the United States. "We can't close doors," he said.

Source: CNN