China, EU and Argentina restrict 50% of Brazilian exports, says report

“Of the US$ 155 billion exported to these three destinations (China, EU and Argentina), more than US$ 78 billion were exposed to this type of restrictive measure. The number and type of trade barriers that Brazilian exports face have grown and become more sophisticated”, informs CNI’s International Trade and Integration manager, Constanza Negri.

The survey, produced jointly with 19 sector entities, points to 77 restrictive measures that Brazilian exports face in 25 markets. There were 16 barriers in the European Union, eight in China and six in Argentina, in a tie with Japan. Next are Saudi Arabia, India, Mexico, Colombia, Indonesia and South Africa.

In addition, the Global Trade Alert (GTA), which monitors trade measures adopted by countries, points out that Brazil was potentially affected by more than 9,430 trade restrictions between 2009 and 2022. This indicates an accumulation of restrictions on international trade since the global financial crisis.

barrier types

The CNI report also lists the main types of barriers: 21 sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS), 18 technical regulations (TBT), 14 import taxes, 10 sustainability, five import licensing and nine other measures (tariff quota import fees, subsidies, etc.).

These barriers to international trade may arise in the form of a law, regulation, policy, measure or government practice that imposes limitations on access to foreign products, services or investments. “The measures can be applied at different stages of the foreign trade process, such as excessive requirements and taxes charged when leaving the country where the good was produced or when the product enters the target market”, informs the survey.

overcoming barriers

According to Constanza Negri, the report prepared by the CNI aims to contribute to the plan to overcome the restrictive measures faced by Brazilian exports, with the aim of guiding the government’s actions to solve the problems. “Faced with this scenario, the CNI understands that a Brazilian strategy for identifying, monitoring and eliminating these barriers with different trade partners is even more necessary”, she says.

Negri also points out that the industrial sector hopes that it will be possible to contribute with a proactive strategy, together with these commercial partners, within the scope of international forums and negotiations, to guarantee greater access to the Brazilian market.