The conversations of the Vice President and Minister of Development and Industry of Brazil and the US Secretary of Commerce were “positive” and focused mainly on the economic issue and tariff policies.
The Brazilian vice president, Geraldo Alckmin, held a “positive” video call with the United States Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, focused on the US tariff policy, the vice president's office reported.
Lutnick is one of the main commercial advisors of US President Donald Trump, while Alnkmin also serves as Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services of the South American country.
Trump announced 25 % tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, which would come into force on March 12. The South American country is one of the largest sources of steel imports in the United States, having exported 4.3 million metric tons to the United States last year, or about 48 % of its shipments, according to data from the Brazilian government.
Lutnick said during the call that would transmit to Trump a request from Alnkmin to postpone tariffs, a source from the Brazilian government told Reuters.
According to a statement from the Alnkmin office, which did not mention a request on a possible postponement of tariffs, dialogue between the two governments must continue to reach an understanding about tariffs and other issues.
New bilateral conversations are planned in the next few days, added the Alnkmin statement, noting that the United States commercial representative Jamieson Greer was also in the call.