On Monday (1st), US president Donald Trump accused Brazil of being one of the most difficult countries in the world to have trade relations with. He also called "unfair" the way American companies are treated in Brazilian territory.
The criticism wasn't left unnoticed. Brazilian Ministry for Industry, Trade and Services reminded, through a statement, that the United States has enjoyed a trade surplus with Brazil of US$ 90 billion in the last year when considering only in the trade of goods. Including both goods and services, the trade surplus amounts to US$ 250 billion.
“That’s a beauty. They charge us whatever they want,” he said. “If you ask some of the companies, they say Brazil is among the toughest in the world – may be the toughest in the world,” Trump said.
"We don't call them and say 'Hey, you are treating our companies unfairly, you are treating our companies unfairly."
As Trump sees it, the problem is that no other previous American president has tried to negotiate trade relations with Brazil.
This is the first time that Trump complained about the country, but it's not the first time that Brazil gets in the radar of the US government.
The main dispute at the moment is about Brazil's wish to enter the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).
In June 2017, the country filed a formal request to join. Last March, however, the United States blocked the request's initial review inside the international organization.
Translated by NATASHA MADOV