Brazil 'Cheats the Scale' With Local Content Rules, Says U.S. Secretary

05/14/2013 - 08h16

The Brazilian government's local content rules are "very dodgy, they are not free trade and are the same as putting your fingers on the scale."

That was the harsh criticism of the Acting Secretary of Commerce of the U.S., Rebecca Blank, to describe the main complaint of U.S. businessmen who want to invest in Brazil.

Blank is in Brazil with representatives of 16 U.S. companies interested in exporting products and infrastructure services or investing in major projects.

She says the change in the legislation that gives preference to national products and services in public biddings is "very dodgy."

"The U.S has great experience in some areas of advanced services, such as design and environmental issues. With these rules, it is very difficult for U.S. companies to take part, which will make the projects more difficult to carry out."

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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