Flávio Bolsonaro flies to Washington for USTR hearing, vows to defend Pix and oppose 25% tariff

Senator and presidential pre‑candidate Flávio Bolsonaro (PL‑RJ) left Guarulhos on 4 July and arrived in Washington on 5 July to take part in a public hearing before the U.S. Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The hearing, scheduled for 7 July, will consider a proposed 25 % additional tariff on a range of Brazilian exports. Bolsonaro will present an 86‑page submission asking the United States to suspend the measure, to keep Brazil’s digital‑payment system Pix out of the dispute, and to delay any action until after Brazil’s October elections. He argues the tariff would politically benefit President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The Brazilian government has also lodged a response to the USTR, rejecting the tariff and accusing Bolsonaro of “entreguismo.” Bolsonaro has linked the issue to his campaign, cancelling a planned visit to Paraíba to focus on the U.S. appearance, and has repeatedly criticized Lula during the trip. The outcome of the USTR investigation is expected by 15 July.