Fernando Haddad said President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) originally opposed a federal tax on imported goods valued up to U.S. $50 [1].
The revelation highlights the tension between the Brazilian president's personal policy preferences and the political demands of the governors and congress members who support the levy.
Speaking during an interview at the Direitos Já! Fórum pela Democracia event on Wednesday, May 13, 2024, Haddad discussed the origins of the so-called "taxa das blusinhas" [2]. The tax applies to international purchases of up to U.S. $50 [1].
Haddad said that while the president was against the measure, he eventually yielded to pressure from political allies who favored the taxation of international shopping [3]. This political maneuver followed a presidential provisional measure signed on May 12, 2024 [4].
"Lula sempre foi contra a medida, mas acabou cedendo à pressão de governadores e congressistas favoráveis à taxação de compras internacionais," Haddad said [3].
According to Haddad, the president later sought to correct the direction of the policy by reviewing the tax [2]. The "taxa das blusinhas," which targets small-value imports, was reversed by Lula after the aforementioned political pressure [5].
While some reports suggest the tax has ended as part of an electoral package, other sources indicate that the debate over the levy continues to be reignited [6]. Haddad's comments provide a glimpse into the internal negotiations of the PT administration, and the influence of regional leaders on federal fiscal policy.
"Ele corrigiu o rumo ao rever a taxa das blusinhas," Haddad said [2].
“Lula always opposed the measure, but ended up yielding to pressure from governors and congressmen.”
The admission by Haddad underscores the precarious nature of Lula's legislative agenda, where ideological or personal opposition to specific taxes must often be sacrificed to maintain a coalition with state governors and the National Congress. By framing the tax as a concession to political pressure rather than a core conviction, the administration attempts to mitigate backlash from consumers while keeping key political allies satisfied.
