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Brazil hikes steel tariffs to curb Chinese imports
BnamericasPublished: Wednesday, April 24, 2024Steel Tariffs Trade Federal GovernmentMining Companies

The Brazilian government will impose an extra tariff in an attempt to reduce steel imports, mainly from China, in response to pressure from local producers.
The government will impose a tax of up to 25% on 11 steel products to be charged on volumes that exceed the level of imports seen in recent years. Imports below that level will continue being charged 10.8%.
“It was a measure to protect employment, to encourage new investments and modernization, but an extremely cautious one,” Geraldo Alckmin, Brazil’s vice president and trade and industries minister, said in a statement. The measure will be in force for 12 months.
Domestic steel companies have complained about the large volumes of Chinese steel being sold at lower prices than that produced in Brazil, an issue that has impacted the industry elsewhere in the world.
"2024 started as challenging, with high levels of imports and unfair competition," Marcelo Chara, CEO of local steelmaker Usiminas, said in a conference call with analysts to discuss the company's Q1 results.
"It’s important that Brazil implement measures to promote fair competition in steel. The world is putting import taxes and mechanisms in place to avoid a flood of absolutely unfair trade, and I'm confident that Brazil can move in the right direction," he said.
However, sectors that use steel, such as manufacturing, machinery and equipment, civil construction and automobiles, have criticized the hike in import tariffs.
The issue is a sensitive one for the government since Brazil wants to avoid any type of conflict with China, the country's largest trade partner.