Brazil mulls legal challenges to tariffs as impacts weigh on US consumers

Brazilian officials are considering a legal challenge to the steep tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump.

On Wednesday, Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad told the news portal UOL that the South American country might head to US courts to challenge the legality of the 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian goods this month.

“We will go to court if needed,” Haddad said.

He added that Brazil would not engage in lobbying efforts.

Trump cited what he called a “witch-hunt” against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial on charges of plotting a coup, and trade practices that he said were unfair as the reasons for the tariff rate.

Brazil has expressed “indignation” at the tariffs, noting that it has run persistent trade deficits with the US.

Industry