Brasilia: Brazilian Foreign Minister Alexandre Padilha announced that Brazil will not retaliate against President Donald Trump's imposition of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, which significantly impact Brazilian exports.

According to Anadolu Agency, President Trump declared the tariffs on Monday, aiming to support US national industries and producers on a global scale. Brazil, alongside Canada and Mexico, ranks among the top steel suppliers to the US, making the tariffs particularly consequential for the South American nation.

Speaking at the Meeting of New Mayors opening ceremony in Brasilia, Minister Padilha emphasized that the Federal Government, under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has not deliberated on any concrete countermeasures to the tariffs. He underscored that engaging in a trade war with the US is not a viable option for Brazil.

Minister Padilha articulated, "What President Lula has always said, very clearly, and other countries too: trade wars are not good for anyone. One of the important advances the world has made in recent years has been precisely creating an instrument for dialogue between countries, strengthening free trade, and defining the role of the WTO (World Trade Organization) in this regard."

Despite this stance, President Lula previously hinted at the possibility of retaliatory tariffs against US goods if Trump proceeded with tariffs on Brazilian exports. In a press conference held on January 31, Lula stated, "It's very simple: if he taxes Brazilian products, Brazil will reciprocate in taxing products that are exported from the United States."

Minister Padilha's recent remarks reflect Brazil's inclination to reduce diplomatic tensions and advocate for further negotiations with the Trump administration, reinforcing their commitment to free trade. "So Brazil does not encourage and will not enter into any trade war. We will always be in favor of strengthening free trade," Padilha concluded.