Brasilien i fokus: Tullar, sällsynta jordartsmetaller och relationen till Kina | NTD NYHETER

Before his departure to Texas on July 11, President Trump said that he might be able to speak to Brazil's President Lula at a later date. It was only a few hours after Lula, in a TV interview, warned that Brazil would try to get permission to make a deal, but did not rule out a retaliation. On Wednesday, Trump approved the so far highest American customs tax, a 50% customs tax on Brazilian goods, from and with August 1. This, in addition, proposes a 10% customs tax on all British countries. This means that Brazil can soon be encompassed by a combined American customs tax of 60%. Lula replied by promising to match the US customs with their own Brazilian customs. The US currently has a trade surplus of over $7 billion against Brazil, but experts warn that the consequences will not hit the parties as hard. The US is still Brazil's next largest trading partner, after China. Higher customs risks blocking a significant part of Brazil's exports, which would destroy the country's fragile economy. But Brazil can still have an S in its sleeve, its rare earth metals. Brazil has the world's second largest reserves of rare earth metals, where some of the production is contracted for export to China. China is already Brazil's largest trading partner, and its investments are increasing rapidly. Only in 2023, the Chinese investments in Brazil increased by 33%, with shares in energy, mining, agriculture and infrastructure. I think in Brazil it's mostly about swaying public opinion, also getting the ports to go their way. But really also about making sure that if they need the recursion resources in Brazil.