Brazil answers Argentina, calls for 'constructive dialogue'

The Brazilian government tried to soften the trade conflict with Argentina and called for the initiation of a “constructive dialogue” in order to resume the bilateral trade negotiations. Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Minister Fernando Pimentel published a letter sent to his Argentine counterpart Débora Giorgi in which he calls for a “constructive dialogue” over the latest trade disputes, involving accusations between Buenos Aires and Brasilia.

Sources confirmed that Giorgi has already received Pimentel’s letter and within the next hours there will be an answer to begin with the negotiations. Nevertheless, from the ministry they assure that the position of Argentina will continue as it has been stated in today’s communiqué.

“I understand the need of a constructive dialogue based in what we have agreed during our last encounter in Buenos Aires,” Pimentel’s letter stated.

Brazil decided to lift the nontariff trade barriers on imported cars; which include Argentine cars.

The measure affects imports from several other countries including the United States, Japan, South Korea and Mexico. Yet a Brazilian official told reporters the measure was, in large part, meant as retaliation against Argentina for recent delays in imports of Brazilian farm equipment and other goods.

Pimentel received a letter from Giorgi on Thursday night in which the minister said she would prefer to talk in person with him and accused him of acting in an “inconvenient” way, without any previous consultation.