Raquel Landim: Government finalizes decree to retaliate against the United States if necessary

According to a source with access to the discussions, three sectors could become targets: big tech, drug patents, and intellectual property rights.

In the case of "big tech," Brazil could adopt measures such as lifting restrictions on operating in the country or increasing dividend payments. Today, this is one of the most influential sectors within the US government.

There's a perception in the government and the private sector that American "big tech" companies pressured Trump against Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, making them jointly responsible for the "tariff hike" against Brazil. Increasing their costs in the country would therefore be a form of "backfire."

Other alternatives would be to break drug patents and copyrights on films, books, and music. Big pharma also has a very influential lobby in Washington, while the copyright sector makes noise but doesn't mobilize as many resources.

"Retaliation in goods is very ineffective, because Brazil imports equipment and parts. Therefore, increasing tariffs harms Brazilian industry," says Welber Barral, former Secretary of Foreign Trade. "Cross-retaliation, however, could upset the US government and trigger sectors like powerful lobbyists in Washington."

Meeting with sectors

The Brazilian government will also call on sectors more susceptible to American surcharges, such as orange juice, steel, machinery and equipment, aircraft (Embraer), among others.