Donald Trump has lifted a 40 per cent tariff on certain Brazilian agricultural products, including coffee, beef and fruits, as Brasília reaps the benefit of the US administration’s attempt to bring down domestic food prices.
The White House on Thursday expanded the number of items excluded from the steep import duty it imposed on most Brazilian goods in August, citing “initial progress” in trade negotiations between the nations. The move is a victory for leftwing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
“Today I am happy because President Trump has already begun to reduce some of the distortions they had made to some Brazilian products,” Lula said. “And these things will happen as we manage to gain people’s respect. Nobody respects those who don’t respect themselves.”