U.S. launches section 301 probe against Brazil

Alsharq Tribune-AFP 

 The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced Tuesday that it will open an investigation into Brazil's trade policies under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The investigation, launched under U.S. President Donald Trump's direction, will look 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 the office in a statement, citing U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Greer determined that Brazil's tariff and non-tariff barriers "merit a thorough investigation, and potentially, responsive action" after consulting with other government agencies, cleared advisers and Congress.

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," said the statement.