Brazil denounces at the Trump’s WTR and warns: ‘Dangerous shortcut for war’

Brazilian representative stated that application of ‘chaotic’ way can lead to ‘economic stagnation’

Brazil made a hard speech on Wednesday (23) in Geneva, during the meeting of the General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO), by denouncing the 50% tariff of Brazilian products imposed by the president of the United States, Donald Trump. Along with about 40 countries and economic blocs such as European Union, China, Russia, India, Canada and Australia, the Brazilian delegation classified the measure as arbitrary, illegal and a threat to global trade.

Without citing the US directly, Itamaraty’s Secretary of Economic and Financial Affairs Philip Fox-Drummond Gough said the world is experiencing an “extremely dangerous change,” marked by the use of tariffs as a tool to press governments and interfere with sovereign decisions. Speech occurs after Trump accuses the Brazilian court of chasing former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and retaliation the country with commercial barriers and suspension of visas to ministers of the Supreme Court (STF).

“Negotiations based on power game are a dangerous shortcut for instability and war. Given the threat of fragmentation, the consistent defense of multilateralism is the way forward,” said the diplomat.

Gough pointed out that the surcharge, applied in a “chaotic” way, violate the WTO rules, interrupts global value chains and can lead to a “high price spiral and stagnation.” For Brazil, the US reaction represents an “unprecedented attack” to the multilateral trade system, which should ensure predictability and legal certainty.

The Brazilian government has announced that it will formally trigger the WTO against Trump’s decision. “It is essential that the organization recovers its role as a space to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation, and not by the unilateral imposition of tariffs,” Itamaraty said in a statement.

The Brazilian government’s strategy has been to maintain pressure on the diplomatic field without closing the doors for bilateral negotiations. The goal is double: to reverse the 50% rate and take advantage of the crisis to defend a structural reform of the WTO, a theme that the country considers urgent.

During the meeting, delegations from European, Asian and African countries also criticized Washington. United States representatives have reacted, stating that their companies are “forced to compete in unequal conditions” and signaled that there will only be changes for those who accept to negotiate directly with the Trump administration.

Originally published by Brazil de Fato on 07/23/2025

Edition: Maria Teresa Cruz