Import restrictions 'a permanent problem,' Brazilian gov't says

Reactions from the Rousseff administration to the new blocks applied by the local Government on Brazilian imports have begun to surface, with their Industry Minister Fernando Pimentel calling them “a permanent problem.”

Through these statements, the Rousseff administration has evidenced their discontent for the new legislation on the trading sector, scheduled to go in effect in February. 

While speaking to the Dow Jones Newswire agency, Pimentel assured that “Argentina has been a permanent problem. Politically we’re in good terms, but when it comes to the economy, it’s hard to deal with them.”

Beyond off-the-record statements and criticizing coming from Brazilian business leaders, no official statements regarding the new changes had been issued by the Rousseff administration. 

Last Tuesday, the head of the Brazilian National Industry Confederation, Soraya Saavedra Rosar, had expressed his “concern” over the new Argentine trade blocks and complained about a “lack of predictability” in the country.

Pimentel commented that Brazil has a trade surplus with Argentina “of over $6 billion” and assured that they would not engage in negotiations until the new trade measures go into effect. 

Only a week ago, the AFIP tax agency announced the implementation of the Advanced Sworn Statement on Imports (DJAI) as part of a new series of measures starting February 1st aimed at having a larger control on imports.

Some fear the new requirements are intended to stop the imports of foreign goods.