00:00Brazil has started a process that could allow it to retaliate against the United States
00:05following the imposition of 25% tariffs on a range of Brazilian exports.
00:12The government has requested further talks with US trade officials,
00:16the first step before Brazil could use its reciprocity law to take measures beyond tariffs.
00:24Washington last month imposed a 25% tariff on some Brazilian goods,
00:29citing unfair trade practices.
00:31Brazil also faces a separate 12.5% US tariff,
00:35part of a wider levy on dozens of countries over allegedly weak enforcement of forced labour bans.
00:42President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had warned that Brazil could invoke its reciprocity law,
00:48calling the US tariffs unjustified and arbitrary.
00:51The law could allow Brasilia to go beyond tariffs,
00:54with options reportedly including restrictions on US companies and suspending some patents.
01:00But Brazilian officials are also weighing the impact on supply chains and domestic prices.
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