“If you are the President of China, the Prime Minister of India, or the President of Brazil and you’re still trading with the Russians and buying their oil and gas, know that if that guy in Moscow doesn’t take peace negotiations seriously, I will impose secondary sanctions of 100%,” said Mark Rutte.

“President Bolsonaro is a good man. I’ve met many prime ministers, presidents, and kings and queens. And I know him, and I’m very good at this. President Bolsonaro is not a dishonest man. He loves the people of Brazil. He fought hard for the people of Brazil. He negotiated trade deals against me for the people of Brazil, and he was very tough. And he was tough because he wanted to get a good deal for his country. He was not a dishonest man. And I believe this is a witch hunt, and it should not be happening.

It’s not just because he’s a friend of mine, but because he’s someone I know. He represents millions of Brazilians — wonderful people. He loves Brazil and fought hard for those people. Now they want to imprison him. That looks like a witch hunt to me, and I think it’s very unfortunate.”

Today, the Office of the United States Trade Representative initiated a Section 301 investigation into Brazil's attacks on American social media companies as well as other unfair trading practices that harm American companies, workers, farmers, and innovators.

Today, the Office of the United States Trade Representative initiated an investigation of Brazil under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The investigation will seek to determine whether acts, policies, and practices of the Government of Brazil related to digital trade and electronic payment services; unfair, preferential tariffs; anti-corruption interference; intellectual property protection; ethanol market access; and illegal deforestation are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.

“At President Trump’s direction, I am launching a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s attacks on American social media companies as well as other unfair trading practices that harm American companies, workers, farmers, and technology innovators,” said Ambassador Greer. “USTR has detailed Brazil’s unfair trade practices that restrict the ability of U.S. exporters to access its market for decades in the annual National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report. After consulting with other government agencies, cleared advisers, and Congress, I have determined that Brazil’s tariff and non-tariff barriers merit a thorough investigation, and potentially, responsive action."

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, (Trade Act) is designed to address unfair foreign practices affecting U.S. commerce. Section 301 may be used to respond to unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory foreign government practices that burden or restrict U.S. commerce. Under Section 302(b) of the Trade Act, the Trade Representative may self-initiate an investigation under Section 301.