House and Senate plan “caravans” to the US to discuss tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian products starting August 1. (Photo: EFE/EPA/RON SACHS/POOL)

The Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate plan to send “caravans” with congressmen to the United States to discuss the 50% tariff on Brazilian exports announced by President Donald Trump .

In the Senate, the Foreign Relations Committee is responsible for coordinating the "caravan," which is at a more advanced stage than the one in the House. The movement is the result of a recommendation from Gabriel Escobar, chargé d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Brazil, with whom São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans) met last Friday .

The goal of the trip to the US is for the members of the "caravan" to find solutions to the tariff crisis with authorities in Washington. The mission is not expected to materialize until September, although the 50% tariffs are scheduled to begin on August 1st.

Lawmaker wants to negotiate Trump's tariff: "mature foreign policy"

In the Chamber of Deputies, the initiative is led by Representative Ronaldo Nogueira (Republicans-RS), chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Supply, and Rural Development. The congressman, a co-religionist with Speaker Hugo Motta (PB), filed a request to create an "external committee" on taxation.

Similar to the Senate's "caravan" proposal, the idea is to work with the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress to reevaluate the U.S. president's decision. To this end, he envisions a group of eight lawmakers.

"In times of globalization and interdependence, Brazil needs a mature foreign policy, centered on principles rather than polarization. The incident of American taxation on Brazilian products, even in the face of supposed friendship, shows that without dialogue and pragmatism, the country is vulnerable," the congressman explains.