The Brazilian government began evaluating the next steps after the United States announcement that it will apply rates on export products and direct sanctions against Federal Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva issued an official note on Wednesday (30) in which he condemns the American measure, reaffirms national sovereignty and independence between the powers. The charging comes into force on August 6.
The text, signed by Lula, states that Brazil will not accept any attempt to interfere with the judiciary and classifies US interference as unacceptable. The note also expresses solidarity with Minister Alexandre de Moraes and says that the use of political justifications to apply trade measures is unjustifiable. The government says it is willing to negotiate with the United States, but will not give up the country’s legal defense instruments.
With the approach of the start date of the tariffs, the Planalto mobilized different ministries to analyze the impact of the decision and define diplomatic, legal and commercial responses. The evaluation considers the number of products excluded from the tariff – about 700 – and the fact that the measure was postponed to August. Internally, ministers differ between those who defend caution in the next actions and those who charge a hardest response.
In the Federal Supreme Court, the sanctions against Alexandre de Moraes were received with criticism. The Court issued a note in support of the minister, rejecting the measure and emphasizing that his decisions were endorsed by the board. Ministers such as Flávio Dino and Gilmar Mendes also publicly spoken in defense of Moraes. Behind the scenes, members of the Supreme Court assess that the motivation of the sanction is more political than economic.
At the National Congress, leaders also spoke. The presidents of the two houses, Hugo Motta and David Alcolumbre, reinforced the repudiation of the measure and defended Brazilian sovereignty. Union attorney general, Jorge Messias, classified the American action as a serious attack on the independence of the judiciary. Lula, in turn, met with STF ministers in the Planalto Palace to discuss the scenario. While the government studies the possible reactions, Moraes must officially respond to the sanctions in a speech already planned for the judiciary’s return session on Friday.
