Brazil's Finance Minister Dario Durigan said the country acted correctly by not retaliating against trade tariffs imposed by the United States.
This decision reflects a strategic effort to maintain stability in trade relations with the U.S. and avoid a broader economic escalation during a period of high tension. By choosing non-retaliation, Brazil aims to preserve its market access and diplomatic ties despite significant financial pressures.
Speaking during the G7 summit in Paris on May 6, 2026, Durigan discussed the approach in an interview with Le Grand Continent. He said that the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump implemented tariffs on Brazilian products that reached as high as 50% [1].
Durigan said Brazil's choice to abstain from retaliatory measures was a measured response to the trade pressure. The minister said that the government prioritized the long-term health of the bilateral relationship over immediate reactive measures. This strategy was intended to prevent a cycle of escalating tariffs that could have further damaged Brazilian exports.
The discussions took place against the backdrop of the G7 meeting week, where global economic policies and international trade disputes were central themes. Brazil has sought to navigate these pressures while continuing to engage with the U.S. on other critical fronts, including joint operations to combat money laundering, and organized crime.
According to Durigan, the goal was to ensure that trade disputes did not derail broader cooperation between the two nations. He said that the current approach allows Brazil to maintain its position in the global market while seeking a diplomatic resolution to the tariff issues.
“Brazil's Finance Minister Dario Durigan said the country acted correctly by not retaliating against trade tariffs.”
Brazil's refusal to engage in a trade war with the U.S. suggests a prioritization of diplomatic stability over economic sovereignty in the short term. By absorbing the cost of high tariffs rather than mirroring them, Brazil is attempting to avoid the 'tit-for-tat' cycle that has historically disrupted other U.S. trade partnerships, hoping that a non-confrontational stance will eventually lead to negotiated tariff reductions.
