Beijing: Brazil is negotiating with the United States to roll back a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian goods while also working to diversify its export markets, Brazilian Foreign Trade Secretary Tatiana Prazeres said Tuesday. Speaking at a seminar organized by the Federation of Industries of Sao Paulo and the Council of the Americas, Prazeres emphasized the government’s focus on both discussions with Washington and supporting companies impacted by the new tariff.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency has initiated a strategy to identify new export markets, with Mexico, Canada, and India considered top priorities. Progress is also being reported in trade negotiations between the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and partners such as Canada, the European Free Trade Association, and the European Union.

The U.S. 50 percent tariff, which has been in effect since August, targets a wide range of Brazilian products, including beef, fruit, and coffee. This measure was imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in response to Brazil’s legal actions against its former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest due to his alleged involvement in a coup attempt.

Prazeres stated that Brazil remains dedicated to “negotiating for a win-win relationship” with Washington and highlighted the private sector’s role in advancing a constructive agenda. The tariff has led Brazil to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization. Since 2009, the United States has been Brazil’s second-largest trading partner, following China, accounting for approximately 12 percent of Brazilian exports.