USA opens second public consultation on Brazilian policies and practices

The USTR (Office of the US Trade Representative, in English) announced that it will open next Monday (6), a public hearing on Brazilian policies and practices, under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974.

The tool has been used by the US government to investigate and punish foreign business practices considered unfair or harmful to US companies.

The hearing will take place at the US International Trade Commission, in Washington, from 9 am (Brasília time).

In a statement, the USTR states that the proposed action is a response to the Section 301 investigation into Brazilian acts, policies and practices related to digital commerce and electronic payment services, tariffs considered "unfair and preferential", application of anti-corruption measures, intellectual property protection, access to the ethanol market, and illegal deforestation.

The schedule of the hearing panels includes senator and presidential pre-candidate Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), Andressa Silva, from Abiarroz (Brazilian Rice Industry Association), and Marcos Matos, from CECAFÉ (Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council), among others.

Source: CNN