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Trade Policy Review Body    
 
* In Original language only/ En langue originale seulement /En el idiom a original solamente . 
  BRAZIL 
DRAFT MINUTES  OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 17 AND 19 JULY 2017  
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat ( Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanqu art@wto.org , or to  tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 18 September 2017 . 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
 
BRÉSIL 
PROJET DE COMPTE REN DU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 17 ET 19 JUILLET 201 7 
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre  leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat ( Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 18 septembre 2017  au plus tard.  
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
 
BRASIL 
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 17 Y 19 DE JULIO DE 2017 
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sr a. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 18 de septiembre de 2017  las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaraciones.  
 
 
_______________  
 WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  TRAD E POLICY REVIEW  
BRAZIL 
DRAFT  MINUTES OF THE MEETI NG 
Chairperson: H.E. Mr Juan Carlos Gonzalez (Colombia)  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .......................  3 
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE O F BRAZIL  ................................ ....... 5 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ..............  10 
4  STATEMENTS  BY MEMBERS  ................................ ................................ ........................  14 
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF BRAZIL AND ADDITIONAL COMME NTS ...........  58 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS B Y THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .........................  67 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies 
provided by Brazil are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/358/Add.1 and will be available online 
at http://www.wto. org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1.1.  The seventh Trade Policy Review of the Brazil was held on 17 and 19 July 2017. The 
Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Juan Carlos Gonzalez (Colombia) welcomed the delegation of the Brazil  
headed by Mr. Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, Director of the Economic Department in the Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs; the rest of the delegation; and the discussant, Ambassador Gennady Ovechko 
(Russian Federation).  
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of t he Trade Policy Reviews and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The report by Brazil was contained in document WT/TPR/G/358 
and that of the WTO Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/358.  
1.3.  Questions by the following delegations had been submitted in writi ng before the deadline: 
Canada; Mexico; Hong Kong, China; Switzerland; European Union; Peru; United States; Australia; 
Chile; Argentina; Singapore; New Zealand; Norway; China; Colombia; India; Japan; Chinese 
Taipei; Republic of Korea; Ukraine; and El Salva dor. The following delegations submitted written 
questions after the deadline: Dominican Republic; Russian Federation; Paraguay; Thailand; 
Ecuador; Indonesia; Turkey; and Malaysia.  
1.4.  During the previous TPR meeting in 2013, Members had praised Brazil for hav ing weathered 
well the global economic crisis largely due to some macroeconomic policies. They had also praised 
Brazil for furthering the diversification of its international trade. However, Members had noted that 
GDP growth had slowed down since mid -2011,  reflecting, inter alia , structural shortcomings that 
had affected Brazil's competitiveness. Since then and into the current review period, Brazil's 
largely domestic demand -driven economy had continued to decelerate and the country had 
entered a recession in 2015 -16, which had been accompanied by a rise in inflation and 
unemployment, and had generated some fiscal policy challenges. Trade and trade -related reform 
initiatives had been undertaken during the current review period in several areas, including in 
trade facilitation, anti -dumping, production and trade incentives (for example, SME support), 
state-owned enterprises, energy, manufacturing, transport infrastructure, and, according to the 
Brazilian authorities, more reforms were under consideration. As i ndicated in the advance written 
questions, Members wished to learn more about Brazil's reform agenda in these areas, as well as 
any initiatives with regards to internal taxation, the labour market, and the pension system.  
1.5.  Members recalled that, at the time  of the previous review, they had commended Brazil's 
active participation in the multilateral trading system, in the Doha Development Agenda, and in 
development -related issues. Some Members had also invited Brazil to accede to the GPA, to join 
the Informat ion Technology Agreement and to ratify the Fifth Protocol to the GATS. Brazil 
remained an active participant in the multilateral trading system. Notably, it had ratified the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement and had deposited its instrument of acceptance of the  Fifth Protocol on 
Financial Services. It now also granted preferential treatment to services and service suppliers 
from least developed countries. Brazil remained a non -party to the plurilateral GPA and ITA 
Agreements.  
1.6.  With regard to trade policy, at the time of the previous review, Members had encouraged 
Brazil to refrain from the use of measures that might have a restrictive impact on trade, such as 
temporary tariff increases, preferential margins in government procurement, and criteria favouring 
domesti c production when granting incentives or credits. Members had also encouraged Brazil to 
make trade policy implementation more transparent and predictable. Members had also noted then 
the wide use of non -automatic import licensing and that Brazil had steppe d up the use of 
contingency measures, in particular antidumping. Members had urged Brazil to ensure accurate 
and fair application of such measures. Since then, a strong emphasis on negotiating RTAs had 
been noted. However, apart from that, the overall thru st of Brazil's trade and trade -related policies 
had not changed significantly. Automatic and non -automatic import licences continued to be widely 
used, and Brazil remained a significant user of anti -dumping measures. A number of finance, 
insurance, and gua rantee programmes intended to enhance the competitiveness of 
export -oriented companies remained in place, although some had been phased out. These issues 
had been raised by some Members in their advance written questions.  
1.7.  Other issues of Members' interest at the time of the previous review had included: the 
complexity of Brazil's tax system; the high costs related to customs clearance; local content WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  and/or production process conditions attached to general and industry specific incentives schemes, 
for exampl e, in the automotive, telecommunications, chemicals, and oil and gas sectors. Members 
had also highlighted then some possibly trade -distorting agriculture support measures, and several 
IPR issues such as geographical indications, copyright protection, pate nts, compulsory licensing 
and enforcement. As indicated in Members' advance written questions for this review, Brazil had 
taken steps to upgrade its single window and its authorized economic operator programme. They 
also noted that border measures had rema ined coupled with complex general and activity -specific 
tax and non -tax incentives, inter alia , involving production step related local content requirements, 
administered interest rate or subsidized credit and other targeted subsidies. In the field of 
intellectual property rights, protection had been further enhanced, but significant backlogs and 
delays in the processing of applications remained.  
1.8.  Despite the progress already achieved since the previous review, some of the issues 
mentioned above continued to  feature in Members' advance questions this time. The Chairperson 
drew Members' attention to the following areas, among others, where they were interested in 
having more clarity as to the way forward. These included: local content and production 
step-related policies; WTO notification and RTAs developments; sectors affected by foreign 
ownership limitations; and the complexity of the tax system and of production and trade 
incentives.  
1.9.  This meeting was a good opportunity for Members to discuss in greater deta il issues of 
interest to them and of systemic importance to the multilateral trading system. The Chairperson 
looked forward to a fruitful exchange.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE O F BRAZIL (MR. PEDRO MIGUEL DA 
COSTA E SILVA)  
2.1.  Good morning to you a nd to all representatives here today. It is a pleasure to be back in 
Geneva, after a very long absence and to have the opportunity to participate, once again, in a 
Trade Policy Review of Brazil.  
2.2.  My first words must be of acknowledgement and of thanks – first and foremost to the 
Secretariat for all their work and cooperation. A famous Brazilian composer used to say, jokingly, 
that Brazil is not for beginners. And he was right. We are a large and complex country. So I want 
to recognize and appreciate all the hard work that went into the Secretariat's report.  
2.3.  We may not necessarily always agree with the editorial line and with many of the opinions 
and suggestions that can be found in the report, but this is precisely one of the elements of the 
current process. We are here to have an open and frank exchange of views; this includes, of 
course, differing perspectives on issues.  
2.4.  I also want to thank today's discussant, Ambassador Gennady Ovechko of Russia. Brazil 
appreciates that he has taken the time to examine ou r report and we appreciate his remarks and 
insights. As a representative of another continental country and a partner in the BRICS, he was 
very well placed to be today's discussant.  
2.5.  Last but not least, I need to thank the Brazilian Mission to the WTO, the members of the 
Brazilian delegation and all the colleagues back in Brazil who worked on the reports and on 
answering the questions. The good news for them and for me is that the next TPR will only be in 5 
years' time.  
2.6.  This Trade Policy Review covers a chal lenging period for Brazil. The last TPR report covered 
years in which our country was doing well, while most other Members were facing the devastating 
economic and social effects of the financial crisis that began in 2008.  
2.7.  Since 2014, however, while many other Members started on a gradual path to recovery, we 
have been weathering possibly the worst recession of our history, with especially serious effects on 
employment and the well -being of Brazilians.  
2.8.  We recorded negative GDP growth of 3.8% and 3.5% in 20 15 and 2016. Exports and imports 
decreased dramatically from the numbers recorded in 2013. Our current account numbers also 
recorded deficits.  
2.9.  And as most of you know, this crisis is taking place in a challenging political context.  
2.10.   I want to stress here, today, that we are taking a series of measures and steps to overcome 
current difficulties and to continue on the path towards sustainable development.  
2.11.   The Brazilian Government is committed to maintaining the country in the course of fiscal 
responsibility. Therefore, we have approved a constitutional amendment that sets a ceiling for 
public expenditures.  
2.12.   The Government has also set as one of its main priorities the reform of the Social Security 
System. The new rules need to take into account changes to our demography and the limits to our 
capacity to pay for social security.  
2.13.   Several positive signs of recovery are already visible, with a general return of confidence in 
the perspectives for the Brazilian economy. The recession of 2015 -2016 seems to be over. W e 
have managed to reduce inflation: the most recent market forecasts point to a rate of 3.38% in 
2017. More importantly, unemployment is falling and we have several indicators of an increase in 
purchasing power for workers. Debt levels of enterprises and f amilies are also going down.  
2.14.   Foreign direct investment is increasing. If we take only the sector of infrastructure, we have 
recorded inflows of US$11 billion in 2017 alone.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  2.15.   At this stage, we predict a modest growth of GDP of 0.5% in 2017. In any case, des pite all 
the challenging circumstances, the Secretariat is correct in its assessment (and I quote): "Brazil 
has mainly solid economic fundamentals" (end of quote).  
2.16.   The Brazilian reform agenda goes far beyond fiscal responsibility. We are also focusing on 
the need to become more competitive and to create more opportunities for growth.  
2.17.   Congress just approved an important reform on our Labor Laws, aimed at the modernization 
of our legislation, with a focus on strengthening collective bargaining agreements and in bringing 
needed flexibility to work relations. The Government is also revamping the model for public 
concessions and privatization in certain sectors to attract even more investment.  
2.18.   An additional element that clearly signals our commitment to change a nd the direction we 
want to move towards is the presentation of our request to initiate accession procedures to the 
OECD on May this year. And I mention it also because the OECD and its papers are an important 
reference source for the Secretariat's report.  
2.19.   Brazil has been cooperating with the OECD since the mid -1990s. In 2007, we became one of 
the Key Partners of the organization. In terms of public and economic governance, Brazil has 
already adopted most of the OECD's recommendations on investment. In rece nt weeks, Brazil has 
requested to join the OECD Codes of Liberalization of Capital Movements and of Current Invisible 
Operations. We have also joined the Good Statistical Practices and eight instruments regarding the 
digital economy. Brazil believes that j oining the OECD will boost its ongoing, broader process of 
reforms.  
2.20.   We were pleased with the interest of Members in our TPR and in our market. We received 
over 600 questions from almost 30 Members. Areas of interest are far ranging. Today, I will 
address s ome issues that were raised, especially those that I believe are indicative of the direction 
we want to take in terms of trade policy.  
2.21.   Before I begin, though, I think it is necessary to stress that while our recession has been 
severe, we are still one of t he main destinations for investment worldwide, attracting 42% of FDI 
flows destined to Latin America and the Caribbean according to the UNCTAD.  
2.22.   This is a reflection of confidence in our economy and in our institutions. Notwithstanding the 
crisis, we did n ot face balance of payments issues, or currency exchange issues. Contrary to what 
happened in the past, we have foreign exchange reserves in the range of US$370 billion.  
2.23.   The diversity and dynamism of the Brazilian economy are exemplified in many passages of 
the Secretariat report. We are the third largest exporter of agricultural goods. The seventh largest 
market for vehicles. The fourth largest telephony market on a subscription basis. And the only 
Latin American country in the top 10 worldwide ranking fo r retail e -commerce. I could go on, but it 
suffices to recall that we are still among the world's 10 largest economies.  
2.24.   The report by the Secretariat takes the general view that the Brazilian economy is 
inward -oriented. This is partially true. As the repor t notes, the participation of trade in the 
composition of our GDP is still low. But it is similar to that of other Members of this Organization, 
such as the United States and Japan. If we take the case of services, Brazil ranks in number 47 in 
terms of the  World Bank's restrictiveness index, which means we are better placed than several 
developed countries.  
2.25.   It is important to recall that the current situation in Brazil is the result of historical choices 
we made in terms of development. We chose development  through the attraction of FDI and were 
very successful in doing so. Now, while maintaining interest in attracting investment, we are also 
convinced that Brazil needs to be even more open and integrated to the world economy.  
2.26.   This explains our recent drive to intensify the negotiation of new regional trade agreements. 
Together with our partners in Mercosur, we are finalizing (hopefully) an agreement with the EU 
and deepening existing agreements, such as the ones we have with Mexico and India. We are in 
the initial stages of negotiations with EFTA and have exploratory talks with Canada, Lebanon, 
Tunisia, Australia and New Zealand. All these Members can confirm that Brazil and its Mercosur WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  partners come to the negotiating table with a very constructive approach , ready to discuss all 
issues. And we do not bring with us blueprints, or ready -made models. We respect Members' 
specificities and differentiated needs.  
2.27.   This understanding of the need for flexibility and to address issues with creativity is also 
what led B razil to propose and negotiate a series of Investment Cooperation and Facilitation 
Agreements. This new template, developed on the basis of a thorough review of UNCTAD and 
OECD guidelines, extensive consultation with our domestic private sector and interna tional 
benchmarking, balances the objective of promoting an attractive environment for investors with 
the maintenance of adequate policy space for public policies. It sidelines BIT limitations, most 
notably the "more favorable" treatment extended to foreig n investors, in favor of a positive 
approach that values institutional cooperation and facilitation of investment flows. Seven ACFIs 
have been signed to date, with two more pending signature and six others in negotiation.  
2.28.   Even though the report of the Secr etariat indicates the participation of different sectors of 
society, this is an aspect of the formulation of Brazilian policy in trade related issues that does not 
come across as strongly as it should. Civil society, academia and especially organizations o f our 
private sector and business community have been very vocal in expressing their concerns and 
views. And they have been very vocal in defining areas of interest, in issues that range from 
e-commerce to agricultural negotiations.  
2.29.   Another central issue in the report by the Secretariat and in Members' questions relates to 
what could be summed up as the complexity of our internal tax structure and the excessive 
bureaucracy for doing business. If you add what we, Brazilians, call the "Brazil cost", the coll ection 
of issues that hinder the increase of productivity and our capacity to compete on equal footing with 
other countries, then you have the complete range of issues that are permanently on the agenda 
of our private sector. Here, let me emphasize one cru cial aspect: the so -called "Brazil cost" equally 
affects Brazilian and foreign companies. Shortcomings in our business environment should not be 
seen as barriers against foreign companies.  
2.30.   Brazil's Government is the first to recognize the need to rational ize and simplify tax 
obligations and our regulatory framework in general, in order to reduce costs for taxpayers, 
improve the business climate and promote sustainable and socially inclusive economic 
development. Reform of these issues has been on the agend a for many years, but they have to be 
solved through complex negotiations with many stakeholders, including Congress, municipalities 
and states to political parties and representatives of different sectors of the economy.  
2.31.   Let me stress, though, that there  is increasing consensus in Brazilian society that certain 
changes need to be made and issues addressed in rules and procedures with a direct impact on 
trade and trade policy.  
2.32.   Our National Trade Facilitation Committee, for example. One of the main items of  the 
Agenda is to create a working group (we have already created it, as a matter of fact) to deal with 
import licences. Many questions by Members to Brazil regard non -automatic import licences. We 
are working on trying to simplify procedures and to decrea se the number of those licences.  
2.33.   Camex, our Foreign Trade Secretariat, on the other hand, is working on the issue of 
regulatory coherence. This is important for us, not just for international trade, but even for our 
own internal organization to make sure that all the different Bodies, the views of regulatory issues 
are streamlining procedures.  
2.34.   Several Brazilian government agencies are involved in implementing the Single Window for 
trade operations. By late 2017, the Single Window will be fully operational for exports. And by the 
end of 2018, the Brazilian Government expects it to be functioning for imports. The objective is to 
make life easier for exporters and importers, to simplify procedures and, especially, to increase 
trade flows.  
2.35.   In what regards the issue of internal taxes, there is significant discussion going on 
concerning the need for simplification. Work is also under way to streamline bureaucracy, by 
reducing the time needed to create and close down business and to pay taxes.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  2.36.   It's also worth noti ng that the most recent WTO Monitoring Report on G20 trade measures 
shows, in its annex, that Brazil was one of the countries that adopted the largest number of trade 
facilitating measures. The G20 Investment Measures Report highlights Brazilian measures t o 
further open to foreign participation the exploration of the so -called pre salt oil and gas fields. All 
this to say that we may be seen as inward oriented by some, but we are making concerted efforts 
to simplify procedures and reduce bureaucracy, with th e objective to answer to requests from our 
society and stakeholders.  
2.37.   Señor Presidente, estamos completamente comprometidos con esta Agenda de cambio pero 
no vamos a abrir ni dejar de lado algunas de las medidas que tenemos en vigencia. En el reporte 
del Se cretariado, hay una serie de temas que fueron levantados y que Usted mencionó.  
2.38.   One of the issues that were mentioned several times is the issue of domestic support 
programme in agriculture. Let me therefore stress that, despite a broad array of programmes  in 
place, the fact remains that actual expenditures are very low. Brazil's PSE, at 2.6% in 2015, is 
among the lowest in world.  
2.39.   Several Members also raised concerns on the issue of possible "local content" requirements 
in programmes to promote industrial d evelopment. This characterization is inaccurate. Brazil's 
policies mentioned in the Secretariat report aim at promoting local production, technological 
improvements and workforce skills, legitimate goals that are in line with the WTO objectives set in 
the Marrakesh Agreement.  
2.40.   There were also questions about our official export credit support. These programmes are in 
line with all our international obligations, particularly the Agreement on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures. Should Brazil join the OECD,  arrangements which we are following 
closely would equally apply.  
2.41.   Regarding foreign direct investment, we would like to point out that foreign capital in Brazil 
receives the same legal treatment as that given to local capital in the same sector. No restric tions 
are applied to the distribution and remittance of profits abroad.  
2.42.   On services, the Brazilian market is very open in key sectors such as financial services and 
telecommunications, among others. And the Brazilian Government is committed to further boos t 
private entry and improve the functioning of other core services sectors – air transport services, 
maritime transport services and acquisition and lease of rural land by foreign investors, for 
instance.  
2.43.   I would like to conclude my statement with a reaffi rmation of the importance that Brazil 
attaches to the WTO and to the multilateral trading system.  
2.44.   If you recall the beginning of my statement, I mentioned that it has been a long time since I 
last participated directly in a Brazil TPR. To be more precise, it was in 1996.  
2.45.   Back then, we had a single Mission in Geneva that covered the work of all UN Agencies and 
other international Organizations. Now, we have one dedicated mostly to the WTO and to other 
economic organizations. It's a very nice Mission with a t eam of colleagues dealing mostly with the 
WTO and economic issues. This is very significant and shows our commitment to the Organization. 
But if that was not enough, I want to say that we are very proud to have Ambassador Roberto 
Azevêdo as DG, and I want to thank you very sincerely for having supported him for another term.  
2.46.   Today we are doing work related to monitoring. And I want to stress that we are fully 
committed to our notification obligations. Including the notification of RTAs. There may be 
differences of opinion regarding the way we made the notifications, but the fact remains that we 
complied with our obligations.  
2.47.   We also strongly support an efficient and impartial Dispute Settlement Mechanism. Brazil 
believes that the system has increased the se curity and predictability of the multilateral trading 
system.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  2.48.   Finally, time and again we have proved our will to contribute to the negotiations in this 
Organization. In the path that leads to the Ministerial in Buenos Aires, Brazil has participated in an 
open minded and constructive manner in discussions and negotiations related both to the Doha 
agenda and new issues. At a time when there are questions regarding the need for multilateral 
trade negotiations, the need for multilateral trade rules and the ben efits brought by trade, we 
reaffirm our view that the best contribution we can make to overcoming present difficulties is to 
come together and deliver substantial – albeit incremental - results at the end of the year, in 
Argentina to consolidate the WTO as  the main forum for reaching balanced outcomes for all our 
countries.  
2.49.   Let me conclude my statement by inviting you, the Secretariat and all representatives to 
visit the exposition "Creative Brazil", in the main hall of the WTO. It will be on until the 23rd  of 
July and it showcases projects in the area of design to support poor communities in our country. 
Thank you.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  
3.1.  It is my pleasure and honour to be a discussant for Brazil at its 7th Trade Policy Review. As 
you know, alongside t he TPRB Chair, my role is to encourage the debate during the meeting by 
focusing on the main trade and trade -related challenges facing the Member under review, and the 
key changes since its previous TPR.  
3.2.  Further down, I will endeavour to highlight the mos t important aspects of the Brazilian trade 
and economy as a whole and make some explanatory notes on how they affect the country's 
economic relationship with the rest of the world. With this in mind, I will structure my statement 
the way that presents the Brazilian overall economic situation and then outlines trade and 
investment peculiarities by measure and by sector and wrap it up with examination of the 
country's role in the multilateral trading system.  
3.3.  In preparing to the review, I have learnt a lot mor e about Brazil and its people. It was an 
exciting research experience and I could share my findings for hours if not a time constraint. As of 
this, I would limit myself to the remark by one famous Austrian, Stefan Zweig, who lived a part of 
his life in Bra zil. He once made a very shrewd observation in an essay titled "Brazil, Land of the 
Future". It actually claims that if one tries to speak of Brazil of the present, one unintentionally 
reduces to its past. The country could be comprehended only from forwar d-looking perspective".  
Overall economic performance, including foreign trade  
3.4.  I will start by the fact that size really matters. Brazil is a big player and an important 
contributor to the multilateral trade system. It is the fifth largest nation by territ ory, which spans 
four time zones, as well as by population of 207 million, forming a vast consumer market.  
3.5.  Brazil ranks the ninth if measured by nominal GDP. Its economy has relatively diverse 
standing and comprises a variety of well -established sectors. T hey include agriculture, mining, 
manufacturing, engineering and services. It also boasts advanced aerospace industry, builds 
national capacity in nuclear power and operates offshore hydrocarbon fields.  
3.6.  Brazil has entered the period under review with a robu st growth and dynamism. The success 
story was driven by stimulating strategies on the demand side, domestic production and exports. 
However, the economy was taken a hard blow due to unfavourable externalities and, in particular 
export prices plunge for maj or commodities coupled with capital outflight. According to national 
statistics, Brazil's economy declined by 3.8% in 2015 and then by another 3.6% in 2016. It meant 
the first recession of two consecutive years since 1930. The budget deficit widened, while  the 
industrial output, household disposable income and consumption saw contraction.  
3.7.  Against this scene, the Brazilian Government is to be commended for its prompt and 
meaningful response to lift the economy out of the crisis and put it back on track. Amon g its 
deliverables and expected outcomes are a cap on public expenditure, secondary education 
revamp, tamed inflation, regulation improvements and structural reforms. The Government further 
works to improve the business environment and streamline the proce dures to this end.  
3.8.  New initiatives to lure foreign direct investments into strategic sectors were unveiled. They 
include but not limited to cutting red tape, operational costs savings and better legal frameworks 
for investors. When implemented they could m ake a strong boost to Brazilian economy and new 
businesses.  
3.9.  In the wake of this series of policy actions, Brazilian economy is about to overcome recession 
and enter the path of growth. In the first quarter of 2017, Brazil's GDP grew by 1% on a 
year-to-year basis.  
3.10.   The performance indicators beat previous expectations from both the Government and 
experts. This is especially true for interest rates and inflation. For example, inflation decreased 
from 10.6% in 2015 to 6.26% in 2016. OECD adds up to this outloo k by predicting that inflation 
will be by the end of the year well below the set target of 4.5%. The national currency – real – 
gained against the US dollar for the first time since 2010. FDI's departure has been handled. The 
Central Bank of Brazil current ly put capital arrival at US$75 billion.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  3.11.   The IMF report of 19 April 2017 praises cap on public expenditure and complementary effect 
of the pension reform being under review by the National Congress. They are both seen as good 
medicine for fiscal imbalance.  The Fund portends that by 2020 the Nation will command a fiscal 
surplus again, getting additional revenues to sustain its debt.  
3.12.   With regard to the public finances, the IMF forecasts that the year of 2017 will end with a 
primary deficit of 2.3% of GDP. Re formative agenda could gradually narrow this divide, first to 
1.1% of GDP in 2018 and then bring it to even lesser digit.  
3.13.   Last June, the OECD improved its forecast for Brazil's growth in 2017. The fresh estimate 
raises the figure to 0.7%, up from zero in M arch. The overall message is also positive: "Brazil is 
finally emerging from a severe and prolonged recession".  
3.14.   For the next year, the country's growth prospects are also improved, to 1.6%. The OECD 
predicts that unemployment should begin to decline by the  end of this year and continue to 
gradually fall.  
3.15.   However, the fiscal deficit remains above 9% of the GDP. Further adjustments will be 
required to ensure a firmly declining path for public debt. I would like to acknowledge a new 
expenditure rule that limi ts real increase in spending and reduces the rigidity of the budgeting 
process, improving long -term fiscal sustainability. Nevertheless, flexibility is still limited regarding 
pensions and social benefits, which amount to almost half of central government spending. 
Another issue to tackle is high interest payment on public debt, which accounts for 19% of public 
spending.  
3.16.   Implementing the currently discussed pension reform is crucial to comply with the new 
expenditure rule and to turn the fiscal adjustment i nto a success. The population aged 65 and 
above will more than triple in the next four decades. Without a comprehensive reform, pension 
spending would increase to 11% of GDP by 2030.  
3.17.   Additional structural reforms have potential to boost growth. It is wort h seeing how to 
reduce compliance costs and distortions imposed by Brazil's fragmented system of indirect taxes. 
Consolidation of all indirect taxes into one broad -based value -added tax is one of possible ways to 
go.  
3.18.   Brazil could also enhance its producti vity by cutting costs of imported inputs. The recent 
decision by Brazil to ease local content rules is a right step towards reducing trade barriers and 
should be warmly welcomed. These measures, in particular if supported by infrastructure upgrade, 
could r aise Brazilian competitiveness on foreign markets, add more jobs and reduce operational 
and transportation costs for national business.  
Trade policies and practices by measure  
3.19.   During the first six months of 2017, Brazil has mounted its trade surplus by 53. 1% to 
US$33.2 billion, as exports went up 19.3% and imports rose at slower 7.3%.  
3.20.   In fact, in June 2017, exports from Brazil jumped 23.9% compared to the same period last 
year and reached US$20 billion. The expansion is registered at all major destinations.  Higher 
earnings for iron ore, oil, soybeans, cargo vehicles and automobiles were the main drivers of the 
increase.  
3.21.   Imports increased at a slower 3.3% to US$20.6 billion. Purchases rose for fuels and 
lubricants, consumer goods and intermediate goods, but f ell for most of the capital goods.  
3.22.   Brazil is placed only 123rd out of 190 countries in the World Bank's 2017 Doing Business 
Report. Foreign companies complain over high tariffs, cumbersome customs procedures, high and 
unpredictable tax burdens, and a compl icated legal framework as major challenges they confront. 
In this context, I would like to draw your attention to some of the Brazil's trade policy instruments 
worth being examined in -depth at our discussion.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  3.23.   According to the Secretariat's report, the gap between the average bound and applied tariff 
rates is about 18.5 percentage points. This difference, if flattered, would enhance predictability of 
Brazil's tariff regime.  
3.24.   Taxes are also a complicated area. Customs duties and other taxes on foreign trade ac count 
for 15% of federal tax revenues, but the share of customs duties is only 3.6%. There are many 
different taxes, such as the tax on industrial products; the tax on circulation of goods and 
provision of services; contributions to the Social Integration Programme and to social security 
financing; and tax on services. It is not uncommon that these taxes are combined for the purposes 
of the determination of the tax base. In addition, their application tends to vary according to the 
type of product, the sub -federal authority jurisdiction and the tax status of the importer. There is 
certainly room for improvement in this area.  
3.25.   It is notable that applied MFN rates on some tariff lines are above the bound level. In some 
cases, an importer may request application  of the bound rate. It is worth mentioning that, though 
TPRM is not a WTO commitments enforcement tool, as stressed by the Chair in his introductory 
remarks, many Members have posed written questions on this issue in connection with the TPR.  
3.26.   More than hal f of Brazil's tariff lines are subject to non -automatic licensing requirements. 
The granting of such licenses is often subject to proof that such goods are not substitutable 
domestically. Members have some reasonable doubts about measure's consistency with  WTO rules 
and eager to know whether Brazil has any plans to ease restrictions.  
3.27.   Brazil is a relatively active user of anti -dumping measures. New procedures for 
anti-dumping measures came into force in October 2013, in particular, the introduction of 
retroactive application of anti -dumping duties. Anti -dumping and countervailing investigations may 
be initiated simultaneously. Brazil is expected to elaborate on the reasons for a hike in application 
of trade remedies.  
3.28.   Brazil maintains a number of programmes i ntended to increase exports and to boost 
competitiveness of export -oriented companies, in particular MSMEs. In 2015, the Government 
launched a National Export Plan (2015 -18). There were questions about specific instruments to 
foster development of local pr oduction chains.  
Trade policies by sector  
3.29.   Brazil is a major player in trade of primary agricultural products. Its domestic support to 
agriculture is low. However, a number of instruments in this regard, such as credits and minimum 
price guarantees, pose sy stemic risks to the global trade in agriculture. In connection with this 
TPR, many Members questioned about these policy instruments, and are looking forward to 
detailed exchange in this area.  
3.30.   On the SPS side, as it is noted in the Secretariat's report, a fter an investigation on irregular 
practices involving certification of meat and meat products at some processing facilities, Brazil 
reaffirmed the adequate maintenance of the official sanitary programmes and specific controls on 
domestic products of anima l origin, and stated that it expected Members not to resort to measures 
that would constitute arbitrary restrictions on international trade or run counter to the disciplines 
of the SPS Agreement and other WTO rules.  
3.31.   Brazil is a net exporter of crude oil a nd is nearly self -sufficient in primary energy. The 
state-controlled PETROBRAS dominates the domestic hydrocarbon market both in upstream and 
downstream. Oil and gas industry enjoys tax incentives. Although formally deregulated since 2002, 
consumer prices of refined petroleum products are de facto fixed by PETROBRAS. In view of some 
Members, there is a room for improvement in this sector with regard to transparency and a more 
pro-market approach.  
3.32.   Services overwhelm Brazil's GDP and job creation, but current ly get setbacks from 
structural weakness and poor international performance. The sector's share in GDP has grown 
rapidly at the expense of the manufacturing sector to reach 73.3% in 2016. In most developed 
and emerging countries, the share of services usua lly positively correlates with per capita income. 
From this point of view, Brazil's case seems to be different, since the sector's share in GDP of over WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  70% is similar to countries with much higher per capita income. On the other hand, foreign trade 
in serv ices accounted for only 15% of the country total trade flow despite significant expansion in 
the last decade, well below the world average of 20%. Therefore, the Brazilian Government and 
the private sector face some major challenges here. They will have to  implement a multi -
dimensional reform aimed at increasing productivity and competitiveness of the services sector, as 
well as providing services of better quality and higher value -added. Without such improvements, it 
would be difficult to increase the shar e of Brazilian services in the world trade flows.  
Brazil in the Multilateral Trading System  
3.33.   As for Brazil's role in the multilateral trading system, Brazil has consistently stood for the 
multilateralism in trade and vigorously supported the WTO as its core  platform. It continues to 
place an emphasis on smooth functioning of the international rules -based trade system as a 
safeguard against isolationist and protectionist practices.  
3.34.   Brazil pushes for new advancements at negotiations in the WTO for the sake of  a more open 
and fair trade. It is also actively engaged in the discussion on all the topics that have been 
identified as potential deliverables at the 11th Ministerial Conference, including the so -called new 
issues. Specific textual proposals put forward by Brazil in such areas as investment and SPS drew 
much attention from Members.  
3.35.   In terms of regional trade policy, Brazil participates in one of the biggest integration 
projects in Latin America -MERCOSUR, which marked its 25th anniversary last year. MERCOS UR is 
often labelled an "imperfect customs union" where goods flows are subject to exceptions, 
restrictions and quotas. Nonetheless, we cannot but recognize that Brazil undertook important 
extra commitments on services within MERCOSUR far beyond its schedu le to the GATS. They 
comprise new sectors, such as computer, R&D, telecommunication, audiovisual, educational, 
environmental, and maritime transport services. Many Members have enquiries whether 
MERCOSUR plans to harmonize its participants' customs regulat ions and practices.  
Conclusions  
3.36.   I wish to conclude by stressing that Brazil demonstrates a proven record and will to 
implement needed reforms to meet its policy objectives. Brazilians have a good saying "Aquas 
mansas nao fazem bons marinheiros". In English  it means "Good sailors are not born by quiet 
seas". It is hard to disagree with its wisdom, including in the context of today's review. I hope that 
over the next two days the review will provide an ample opportunity for update of the WTO 
Membership on dev elopments in Brazil's trade and economy be followed by extensive exchange on 
this topic.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBER S 
CANADA  
4.1.  Over the years, Canada and Brazil have built a strong and dynamic partnership based on 
shared values and interests, including a commitmen t to the rule of law, a mutual recognition of the 
importance of open and fair trade to economic growth and prosperity, and support for a 
progressive approach to trade. This understanding underpins our important and mutually beneficial 
bilateral relationshi p, including here at the WTO.  
4.2.  Brazil has faced particularly challenging economic and social conditions since its last Review, 
with a sharp contraction in GDP over the past three years that has seen investment and 
consumption fall to 2010 levels and unempl oyment reach over 14 million. Against this backdrop, 
Brazil is to be commended for having identified structural reforms and fiscal consolidation as a 
means to support growth and job creation. We encourage Brazil in its ongoing efforts to implement 
this ref orm agenda, including by reducing public debt and unlocking private sector investment and 
productivity.  
4.3.  In particular, Canada welcomes Brazil's decision to pursue greater trade openness through 
preferential agreements that buttress and complement the multi lateral framework. Indeed, Brazil 
remains the most closed to trade among the world's largest economies. However, policy initiatives 
aimed at facilitating trade and Brazil's proven commitment to the G20 standstill provision are 
certain to play a strong role  in rekindling growth. Brazil has seen a significant rebound in exports 
since mid -2016, which contributed to the narrowing of its current account deficit from -3.3% of 
GDP in 2015 to -1.3% in 2016. These factors also contributed to robust foreign direct in vestment 
inflows, high level of foreign exchange reserves and low external debt.  
4.4.  While Brazil has made some important improvements towards opening sectors of its economy 
to greater competition and boosting international trade since its last Review in 2013,  a number of 
protectionist policies that we raised during that Review unfortunately remain on the statute book. 
Furthermore, Canadian businesses continue to raise concerns with regard to the level of 
complexity in Brazil's business environment.  
4.5.  Allow me t o highlight three broad areas of concern.  
4.6.  Brazil is part of the MERCOSUR customs union, but the Secretariat report notes that there is 
a wide range of temporary and individual derogations from the bloc's common external tariff, 
which creates uncertainty a nd complexity and therefore increases costs for traders. Indeed, 
Brazil's exceptions from the common external tariff run into the several thousand when also taking 
the "ex -tariff" system into account. Furthermore, MERCOSUR commitments to phase out national  
derogations and unify taxation and customs procedures are consistently postponed, raising doubts 
as to whether progress is being made towards establishing an effective, consolidated common 
external tariff.  
4.7.  During Brazil's 2013 Review, we voiced concern ov er several trade restrictive measures 
contained in the "Plano Brasil Maior" industrial policy. While Brazil has made efforts to ease 
restrictions in a number of sectors, such as oil and gas for instance, there are still questionable 
measures in place, such  as local content requirements in government procurement, and fiscal 
incentives that distort competition. Indeed, with regard to the latter, the Secretariat report notes 
that not only did federal incentives and support programmes more than double between 2 013 and 
2016, but that Brazilian industry has become increasingly dependent on government support at 
the expense of improving international competitiveness. Despite this substantial increase in 
incentives and support programmes at the federal level, I woul d like to note that Brazil's April 
2017 subsidy notification to the WTO Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures 
mentions only 10 federal programmes, which is one less than the number in Brazil's 2014 subsidy 
notification.  
4.8.  Finally, I would like t o draw attention to the overall ease of doing business in Brazil. The 
Brazilian Government has recently signalled renewed commitment to microeconomic reforms 
aimed at improving Brazil's business environment. This is a very welcome development, as the 
World  Bank Group's "Doing Business 2016" report ranks Brazil in 116th place out of 189 countries WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  - only three spots higher than where Brazil ranked a decade ago. Canada encourages the Brazilian 
Government to improve business conditions through administrative, l egal and regulatory reforms, 
particularly in the areas that have been identified as challenging to doing business. Finally, it 
should be noted that Brazil's institutional framework is confronting significant problems related to 
corruption in both the publi c and private sectors and is making some progress in enforcing legal 
provisions. While the scale of this effort has temporarily disrupted markets, I believe the net result 
will be highly positive for Brazil's business environment in the medium - to long -term. I would like 
to underscore the importance of removing sector -specific protection for market players, as such 
policies which compromise competitiveness and have a tendency to lead to corrupt practices.  
4.9.  Allow me to conclude by underscoring the excellent r elationship between Canada and Brazil. 
At the multilateral level, our two countries are committed to the rules -based international trading 
system. We are also committed to ensuring a successful outcome at MC11 later this year. From a 
bilateral perspective,  our two countries have long been important political and economic partners, 
with significant two -way trade in goods and services, investment, and flows of technology, 
knowledge, and people. In April of this year Canada and Brazil held the sixth Joint and Economic 
Trade Council to discuss ways to expand our commercial relationship - we look forward to 
continuing this momentum in the months and years ahead.  
MÉXICO  
4.10.   México y Brasil como países hermanos de Latinoamérica, compartimos rasgos comunes y 
una profund a relación como socios comerciales. Ambos pertenecemos a la Asociación 
Latinoamericana de Integración (ALADI). En este marco, trabajamos por profundizar nuestra 
relación económica bilateral mediante la renegociación del Acuerdo de Complementación 
Económica  (ACE-53). El 26 de mayo de 2015, México y Brasil suscribimos un Acuerdo de 
Cooperación y Facilitación de las Inversiones (CFIA), mismo que se basa en las directrices de la 
UNCTAD y la OCDE. Esperemos que pronto entre en vigor, en beneficio de los inversio nistas de 
ambos países.  
4.11.   Brasil es una de las mayores economías del mundo; posee la cuarta superficie agrícola más 
extensa; es el tercer mayor exportador de productos agrícolas; el tercer mercado interno de 
transporte aéreo; el cuarto mayor mercado de telef onía móvil, lo que, con otra multiplicidad de 
factores, lo hacen un país clave para el Sistema Multilateral del Comercio.  
4.12.   A pesar de estos logros tan encomiables, la economía de Brasil ha mostrado tasas bajas de 
crecimiento de su PIB; e incluso negativas para los dos últimos años, de -3,8 y -3,6%, 
respectivamente. En cuanto al desempleo y la inflación, éstos han mostrado una tendencia hacia la 
alza. En el caso del desempleo ha pasado del 7 al 11,3%, mientras que la inflación, lo ha hecho del 
5,4% al 8,7%; ambos en el periodo de 2012 a 2016.  
4.13.   Asimismo, Brasil sigue siendo una economía con una marcada orientación al interior, ya que 
el comercio de bienes y servicios representó tan sólo el 25% de su PIB en el mismo periodo. Esto 
se explica por la reducción, en buena parte, de las importaciones en casi un 40% y de las 
exportaciones en un 24% de 2012 a 2016.  
4.14.   Brasil se ha convertido en un importante polo de atracción de inversión extranjera. Durante 
el periodo de examen, captó cerca del 40% de la inversión extranj era de América Latina, aunque 
sus niveles han bajado considerablemente, de 76 mil millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2012 a 
58.7 mil millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2016.  
4.15.   Hacemos votos para que Brasil redoble sus esfuerzos para reencaminar su economía y así 
aprov echar todavía más su enorme potencial.  
4.16.   En materia de aranceles, destaca que, de acuerdo con el informe de la Secretaría, los 
aranceles aplicados a 134 fracciones arancelarias exceden los límites consolidados.  
4.17.   Llama también la atención el conjunto tan ampl io de productos sujetos a licencias no 
automáticas, el cual llega a rebasar las cinco mil líneas arancelarias y que algunas licencias deben 
tramitarse ante más de una autoridad, según el mismo informe.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.18.   Mi delegación quisiera felicitar a Brasil por sus esf uerzos en mejorar su ventanilla única y su 
programa de operadores económicos autorizados, así como por haber pasado, en los últimos 
cuatro años, del lugar 116 al 37 en cumplimiento de contratos, y del 82 al 32 en protección de 
inversionistas minoritarios e n el índice Doing Business sobre Facilidad de hacer negocios del Banco 
Mundial. Sin embargo, a pesar de esos logros, notamos con preocupación que Brasil pasó del lugar 
123 al 149 en el renglón de comercio transfronterizo del referido índice.  
4.19.   En cuanto al pago de impuestos, Brasil pasó del lugar 156 al 181 de 190 países evaluados. 
Esto resulta especialmente preocupante para diversos comerciantes mexicanos que se enfrentan a 
un sistema fiscal sumamente complejo.  
4.20.   En 2015, Brasil introdujo un impuesto sobre p roductos industrializados, por el cual fija una 
tasa del 25% ad valorem  para la Cachaça y un 30% para otras bebidas espirituosas. Esta 
diferencia de impuestos reduce las oportunidades comerciales del tequila en el mercado brasileño. 
Por otra parte, es impo rtante destacar que en Brasil no existe un impuesto sobre el valor 
agregado, sino cinco impuestos sobre el consumo, entre ellos el Impuesto sobre Circulación de 
Mercancías y Servicios (ICMS), que en apariencia resultan en la tributación diferenciada para 
productos nacionales en relación con los importados y que se determinan por cada estado. 
Agradecemos a Brasil la información que nos ha proporcionado en las respuestas a nuestras 
preguntas, las cuales están siendo analizadas en nuestra capital, y de anteman o agradecemos 
también las respuestas que se proporcionen a las preguntas que hemos hecho como seguimiento 
al tema fiscal. Esto nos permitirá tener una mejor comprensión de su régimen fiscal.  
4.21.   Antes de terminar, quisiera destacar que Brasil figura entre los 10 primeros lugares de 
comercio electrónico minorista, a lo que sin duda contribuyó de manera importante la reforma a su 
marco jurídico sobre contratación por medios electrónicos realizada en 2014. Brasil es uno de los 
Miembros que contribuye de manera pos itiva a las discusiones de comercio electrónico en esta 
Organización.  
4.22.   Concluyo deseando a la delegación brasileña mucho éxito en este Examen de sus Políticas 
Comerciales.  
HONG  KONG,  CHINA  
4.23.   Among Hong Kong's trading partners in Latin America, Brazil comes fi rst in services trade 
and second in goods trade. Our bilateral merchandise trade was worth more than US$3.5 billion in 
2016, while services trade amounted to US$340 million the year before. It is therefore with great 
interest that we take part in this revi ew. 
4.24.   Studying the Government and Secretariat reports, we are impressed that, despite the many 
domestic and global challenges during the review period, Brazil has continued to pursue a robust 
trade agenda to strengthen regional and international cooperation.  We appreciate in particular the 
priority it has given to the multilateral trading system; the contributions it has made to countering 
anti-trade and protectionist sentiments; the openness with which it has discussed both Doha and 
other issues in the WTO, as well as the concrete measures that it has taken to facilitate trade.  
4.25.   Last year, within months of ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement, Brazil established its 
National Committee to oversee the implementation of that Agreement. In fact, efforts to s implify 
and modernize customs procedures started much earlier, notably with the launch of the Single 
Window project and the authorized economic operator programme, both in 2014. Online 
submission of documents is now widely used in licensing and customs rel ease procedures. We look 
forward to a fully digitalised regime for export declaration by the end of this year.  
4.26.   We are also encouraged to see Brazil's regulatory agencies striving to implement Good 
Regulatory Practices that are evidence -based and transparen t. According to the authorities, most 
technical regulations enacted in Brazil are based on international standards or MERCOSUR regional 
standards. However, we note with concern that only 6% of Brazil's regular TBT notifications 
between January 2013 and Apr il 2017 provided a comment period of 60 days or more.   
4.27.   The situation is similar for SPS notifications. Moreover, in the case of SPS, few measures 
offered a six -month period between publication and entry into force, and only around one fifth of WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  the notifie d measures were based on international standards. There appears to be room for 
improvement.  
4.28.   Regarding anti -dumping actions, although the number of measures imposed each year has 
declined recently, that did not help reduce the total number of measures in fo rce, which saw a 
hefty increase of 85% in four years. In view of the trade stifling effect of such measures, we urge 
Brazil to exercise restraint in the initiation of investigations.  
4.29.   Brazil's tariff regime has not seen a lot of changes during the review pe riod. There remains 
a gap of 18.5 percentage points between the average applied and bound rates. Apart from 
customs tariffs, certain imports into Brazil are subject to a very complicated system of internal 
taxes and charges; and transactions are subject to  various federal and sub -federal levies. We 
encourage Brazil to enhance the predictability of its tariff regime by lowering its bound rates, and 
to simplify its taxes and charges on imported goods.  
4.30.   Tariff protection for agricultural products is not particu larly high in Brazil, nor is the level of 
domestic support - compared to other OECD members. That said, some of the support measures, 
such as market price support, concessional credit, and crop insurance subsidies, can be trade 
distorting. We believe that,  as the world's third -largest exporter of agricultural products, Brazil can 
lead by example in reviewing its domestic support measures.  
4.31.   The services sector contributes to about three -quarters of Brazil's gross value added and 
two-thirds of its employment. It stands to benefit from growth stimulated by further liberalisation. 
We commend the Brazilian Government's efforts to relax the reinsurance requirements for foreign 
companies, and to allow foreign doctors to work in Brazil under certain conditions. In Br azil, we 
have seen how strong competition in the telecommunications market has led to better quality and 
lower prices. We encourage the country to continue with its progressive liberalisation of trade in 
services; and more specifically to reduce local cont ent requirements, foreign investment limitations 
and national requirements in the various services sectors.   
4.32.   We are pleased to see Brazil steadily recovering from the unprecedented economic 
recession of 2015 -16. We believe such resilience is, to a large e xtent, the result of Brazil's 
structural reforms, as well as its openness to trade and investment. At present, aggregate two -
way trade in goods and services stands at about 25% of Brazil's GDP, suggesting a lot of untapped 
potentials. We hope in the coming  years, Brazil will continue to liberalize its trade regime, and 
sustain its gains and growth as a more outward oriented economy.  
4.33.   Finally, I would like to thank the delegation for the replies to our written questions. I wish 
Brazil a very fruitful Trade Po licy Review.  
SUISSE  
4.34.   Depuis quelques années le Brésil fait face à une situation économique difficile qui a été 
amplement décrite dans le rapport du Secrétariat.  
4.35.   Malgré ces difficultés, le Gouvernement brésilien a pris la courageuse décision d'instaurer 
une politique de consolidation fiscale. La Suisse, qui mène une politique de frein à l'endettement 
depuis 2003, ne peut que saluer cette décision. Adossée à une politique monétaire restrictive, 
cette politique nécessitera de grands efforts de la part du Gouver nement et de la population. 
Gageons que ce processus portera ses fruits sur le long terme et qu'il fournira la stabilité 
nécessaire à la pleine réalisation des potentiels de l'économie brésilienne.  
4.36.   Les flux commerciaux ont particulièrement souffert de la récession. Comme l'a relevé le 
Secrétariat, la diminution des niveaux d'importation et d'exportation est largement due à la baisse 
du prix des matières premières, partant, d'une dégradation des termes d'échanges. La nécessité 
pressante de s'attaquer aux fa cteurs conjoncturels ne doit pas faire oublier les mesures 
structurelles et institutionnelles qui peuvent aussi contribuer à redynamiser l'économie du pays.  
4.37.   À ce jour, le Brésil reste une économie principalement tournée vers l'intérieur, caractérisée 
par une compétitivité modeste. Dans un tel contexte, la politique poursuivie par le Gouvernement 
en vue d'améliorer la compétitivité de la production locale et de stimuler le commerce est WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  particulièrement bienvenue. Un marché ouvert, un cadre macroéconomique s table et de bonnes 
politiques structurelles sont en effet les meilleurs moyens d'accroître la compétitivité. La Suisse 
encourage aussi le Brésil à réduire le poids de l'État dans les secteurs clés de l'économie.  
4.38.   Nous avons en outre noté qu'il subsistait u ne forte dépendance des recettes fiscales aux 
droits de douane. En effet, un grand nombre de secteurs bénéficient encore d'une protection 
tarifaire importante. Nous comprenons que le Gouvernement est confronté à des arbitrages fiscaux 
délicats. Il serait t outefois judicieux que les revenus gouvernementaux dépendent moins fortement 
des recettes douanières. Le Brésil disposerait ainsi d'une plus grande marge de manœuvre pour 
pratiquer une politique commerciale ouverte, indispensable à l'insertion de ses entre prises dans les 
chaînes de valeur mondiales.  
4.39.   Ceci dit, nous observons avec satisfaction que le Brésil cherche à progresser sur cette voie, 
notamment en étoffant et en approfondissant son réseau d'accords de libre -échange. À ce titre, 
nous souhaitons relev er que le Brésil a entamé, conjointement avec ses partenaires du Mercosur, 
des négociations pour un accord de libre -échange avec l'AELE, dont la Suisse est membre. Nous 
nous réjouissons des négociations à venir et espérons que ce processus aboutisse dans l es 
meilleurs délais.  
4.40.   Le Brésil et la Suisse entretiennent des relations commerciales intenses. Le Brésil est notre 
partenaire commercial le plus important en Amérique latine. Les exportations de la Suisse vers le 
Brésil incluent essentiellement des produit s pharmaceutiques et chimiques, des machines et des 
produits électroniques. Les exportations du Brésil vers la Suisse comprennent surtout des métaux 
et du café. Maintes entreprises suisses sont implantées sur le sol brésilien : ces entreprises 
emploient en viron 69'000 personnes et leurs investissements représentent près de 10 milliard de 
dollars EU. Il est donc tout à fait naturel que la Suisse considère le Brésil comme un partenaire 
économique stratégique.  
4.41.   La Suisse apprécie le rôle actif du Brésil dans le s négociations qui ont lieu au sein de l'OMC. 
S'il est vrai que nos intérêts divergent quelques fois, la Suisse est heureuse de pouvoir compter 
sur le soutien du Brésil au système multilatéral. Et nous nous félicitons de la coopération 
fructueuse que nous avons établie avec la délégation brésilienne placée sous la houlette de 
l'Ambassadeur Didonet.  
4.42.   Je terminerai ma déclaration avec une mention spéciale pour la stratégie de production 
d'énergie du Brésil. La Suisse a été impressionnée de constater que le se cteur énergétique 
brésilien figure parmi les plus verts au niveau mondial. Non seulement le Brésil investit 
massivement dans la production d'énergie renouvelable, mais il a aussi éliminé une grande partie 
de ses subventions aux énergies fossiles. Il s'agit  là de pas importants vers une meilleure 
durabilité de nos modes de production. De tels efforts doivent être poursuivis et la Suisse 
encourage vivement le Brésil à persévérer dans ses efforts en vue de l'élimination complète de ces 
subventions.  
4.43.   La Suisse a  posé un certain nombre de questions, dont quelques -unes sur le fonctionnement 
du Mercosur et le rôle joué par le Brésil dans cette union douanière.  
4.44.   La Suisse remercie le Brésil d'avoir fourni des réponses détaillées à toutes les questions que 
nous avons s oumises par écrit. Nous souhaitons à la délégation brésilienne une bonne suite 
d'examen.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.45.   Let me start highlighting that Brazil is an important strategic and economic partner of the 
European Union.  
4.46.   Brazil is the largest economy of Latin Amer ica and its trade  with the EU accounts for 
€60.3  billion corresponding to one third (30.8%) of the EU's total trade with the region. The EU is 
Brazil's first trading partner, accounting for 19.6% of its total trade. As regards investments, the 
EU is the biggest foreign inv estor in Brazil. About 50% of foreign direct investment, flowing into 
many sectors of the Brazilian economy, comes from the EU. These figures show the strength and 
depth of our bilateral trade and investment relationship.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.47.   With reference to Brazil's economi c policy, the EU acknowledges the efforts Brazil has made 
to cope with one of the most severe recession in its history, implementing necessary structural 
reforms and fiscal consolidation. We encourage Brazil to keep up its efforts, while pursuing the 
goal of social cohesion and further opening up of the economy.  
4.48.   Focusing on Brazil's trade policy, we would like express our support for the improvements 
recorded in the period under review. For example:  
 The EU acknowledges Brazil having adopted recent measures  in the field of intellectual 
property rights which could help alleviate the patent and trademark application backlog and 
simplify procedures for IPR contracts. We look forward to the implementation of these 
measures and for Brazil to take further steps in  the area of IPR rules and enforcement.  
 The EU also appreciates the measures taken to reduce the State intervention in the energy 
sector.  
4.49.   The EU welcomes Brazil's strong support for the multilateral trading system and its interest 
in regional and bilateral  negotiations.  
4.50.   At a multilateral level, I wish to convey the EU's appreciation for the constructive approach 
of Brazil in the WTO negotiations. We are happy to co -sponsor together with Brazil and other WTO 
Members a proposal on domestic support in agricul ture, which will be circulated to the WTO 
Members today. The EU trusts Brazil will continue to be fully engaged in the multilateral trading 
system and to display leadership in the negotiations of substantial outcomes in the WTO and is 
particularly committe d to continue working together with Brazil in the pursuit of a successful 11th 
WTO Ministerial Conference.  
4.51.   At a bi -regional level, the EU is fully committed to advancing the EU -MERCOSUR 
negotiations as a key priority. The EU welcomes the constructive and s ignificant progress made 
during the last rounds of negotiations. Both sides are pursuing an ambitious, comprehensive and 
balanced agreement hopefully by the end of the year that will bring important economic benefits to 
both sides as well as sending a stro ng signal in favour of rules and value -based trade liberalization.  
4.52.   Despite the positive overall trading relationship we also have a series of concerns. Turning 
now to these, I would like to highlight some of them which are of particular interest to EU 
companies:  
4.53.   First of all, more efforts are needed as regards effective and unified application of the 
import and customs procedures. EU operators are concerned with the highly burdensome and 
costly import procedures that often require a disproportionally high  quantity of documents.  
4.54.   Regarding sanitary and phytosanitary matters, the EU would like to highlight the fact that 
Brazil is requiring but not performing audits to exporting countries. This remains the EU's biggest 
concern in this problematic area.  
4.55.   In ou r written questions, we have also asked Brazil to explain the rationale of its non -
automatic import licensing system, which covers at least 5,460 tariff lines, that is more than half 
of Brazil's entire tariff list. We would like to hear about the possible reform of the system and 
whether Brazil intends to further develop the Single Window Programme as a means to reduce the 
number of non -automatic licenses.  
4.56.   Tax discrimination is another area of concern for the EU. We would appreciate if Brazil could 
elaborat e more on details of this tax reform plan, including its timeframe. In particular, we would 
be interested to know how the government will act to eliminate tax distortions between imports 
and domestic products.  
4.57.   Then, the EU would encourage Brazil to further  open up its markets to foreign enterprises in 
particular in the area of financial and insurance services, and legal professions, as well as the need 
to improve the system of mutual recognition of professional qualifications and diplomas.   WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.58.   Lastly, the EU is eagerly awaiting the outcome of Brazil's deliberations on whether to accede 
to the Government Procurement Agreement – a move which we would highly welcome and 
support.  
4.59.   On behalf of the EU, I look forward to a constructive exchange of views during this r eview 
and I wish Brazil's delegation the utmost success during its Trade Policy Review.   
PERÚ  
4.60.   El Brasil es a nivel latinoamericano el principal socio comercial del Perú. En 2016, nuestro 
intercambio comercial superó los 3 300 millones de dólares EE.UU., s iendo el primer destino de las 
exportaciones del Perú hacia América Latina y nuestro cuarto socio comercial en el mundo. 
Nuestra relación comercial bilateral se encuentra enmarcada actualmente en el acuerdo de 
complementación económica entre el Perú y el M ercosur (ACE -58), gracias al cual, a partir del 1 de 
enero del 2012, más del 95% de los productos peruanos pueden ingresar al Brasil con arancel 
cero. De igual manera, cabe resaltar que el Perú y el Brasil firmamos en abril de 2016 un Acuerdo 
de Expansión Económica y Comercial, que contiene capítulos de servicios y contratación pública, 
entre otros aspectos. Nuestros Gobiernos continúan trabajando de manera paralela para 
incorporar las disposiciones de este Acuerdo en nuestras legislaciones nacionales de ma nera que 
su entrada en vigor sea en forma conjunta.  
4.61.   El Perú se alegra de las previsiones que anuncian el retorno del crecimiento a la economía 
brasileña, no sólo porque ello es favorable para el hermano pueblo del Brasil, sino también porque 
el estado de l a economía brasileña tiene una influencia directa en nuestro intercambio comercial y, 
por ende, en nuestras propias perspectivas de crecimiento, como ha quedado demostrado en los 
últimos años. Saludamos de igual manera, los esfuerzos del Gobierno del Brasi l para sostener la 
inclusión económica de la población, mejorar la situación financiera y dar previsibilidad al gasto 
presupuestario, acciones que confiamos favorecerán el regreso de las altas tasas de crecimiento a 
la economía brasileña.  
4.62.   En el ámbito loc al, destacamos el importante rol del Brasil en la OMC y, en particular, de su 
delegación permanente en Ginebra, que siempre aporta un enfoque práctico y profundo a los 
asuntos que nos ocupan en esta organización, por lo cual nos alegramos de mantener una 
estrecha coordinación en algunas iniciativas que tienen lugar en esta Organización.  
4.63.   El Perú sólo ha dirigido al Brasil una pregunta para el presente Examen que aborda 
precisamente el tema de la contratación pública, para cuyo tratamiento hemos suscrito el año 
pasado un Acuerdo Bilateral, como ya lo he mencionado. Agradezco de antemano al Brasil por su 
respuesta a esta pregunta, la cual será analizada con detenimiento por nuestras autoridades, y le 
deseo un exitoso séptimo Examen de sus Políticas Comerciales . 
UNITED  STATES  
4.64.   The United States has always viewed Brazil as an important and valued trading partner. As 
the two largest economies and democracies in the Western Hemisphere, the United States and 
Brazil share important ties with respect to trade, capital flows, cross -border investment, and a 
wide range of educational, health, scientific and other joint activities. The United States and Brazil 
have established important mechanisms for discussing bilateral trade and investment issues, 
including the Commissio n on Economic and Trade Relations, the Commercial Dialogue and the 
Consultative Committee on Agriculture, to name a few.  
4.65.   We have heard this morning from the Chair, the discussant, and Brazil's Head of Delegation 
regarding the economic challenges confronted  by Brazil since its last TPR. The Brazilian economy 
enjoyed a prolonged period of robust growth from 2000 to 2013, coinciding with a commodity and 
export boom. Since the time of its last Trade Policy Review in 2013, however, Brazil has faced a 
series of e conomic and political challenges. The world's seventh largest economy in 2013, Brazil 
dropped to the ninth largest economy in 2016. In addition, 2015 and 2016 marked Brazil's first 
consecutive years of contraction since the 1930s and the deepest recession since record -keeping 
began in 1901. From the end of 2014 through 2016, real output contracted by over 7%, roughly 
3 million formal sector jobs were lost, and the unemployment rate nearly doubled to over 11%. 
Political instability in Brazil has exacerbated the economic landscape.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.66.   These challenges are naturally reflected in our bilateral trade relationship. Brazil was the 
United States' ninth largest trading partner in 2013, but fell to our 14th largest trading partner in 
2016. Nevertheless, Brazil continues to be an important market for U.S. companies. Two -way U.S. 
goods and services trade with Brazil totalled US$87.3 billion in 2016, and overall U.S. goods 
imports from Brazil are up 300% over the last 22 years (since the conclusion of the Uruguay 
Round). Ser vices trade and two -way investment are also robust as reflected in the statement 
submitted for the record of this meeting. In 2016, U.S. exports of services to Brazil were 
US$24.3  billion, while Brazil's supply of services to the United States was US$6.8 b illion, both up 
32% from 2010 levels. U.S. companies have directly invested US$65.3 billion in Brazil, through 
2015, down 2.5% from 2010 levels, while Brazilian companies and their subsidiaries have invested 
US$23.7 billion in the U.S. through 2015, up 74%  from 2010 levels.  
4.67.   Brazil resumed growth in the first quarter of 2017 (one percent, seasonally adjusted), and 
current projections for full year 2017 GDP growth are in the 0.42% range. As Brazil emerges from 
a difficult economic period, we believe the count ry would benefit from more liberalized trade and 
investment policies, including by lowering tariffs and eliminating pervasive local content 
requirements. Brazil represents a sort of paradox, as despite its status as the world's ninth largest 
economy, Brazi l accounted for only one percent of global goods trade in 2016. The structural 
bottlenecks - which include a very high tax burden, a complex and inefficient regulatory regime, 
inadequate primary infrastructure, limited access to credit, and a rigid labour market - threaten 
Brazil's competitiveness and future growth prospects. Reflecting these challenges, the World Bank 
ranked Brazil 123rd out of 190 countries for ease of doing business in 2017.   
4.68.   In our view, there are some specific areas where Brazil could  take action to improve its 
trade and investment regime for the purpose of creating additional growth and development 
opportunities. In addition to the issues addressed in our questions, today I would like to briefly call 
attention to Brazil's high tariff structure, its continued reliance on local content requirements 
(notwithstanding some recent progress in the hydrocarbons sector), and shortcomings in some 
areas of IPR protection and enforcement.  
4.69.   While Brazil's MFN applied tariff rate averaged 13.5% in 2 015 (latest available data), its 
average bound tariff rate is significantly higher at 31.4%, with the maximum bound rates for 
industrial and agricultural goods set at 35% and 55%, respectively. Because of the large 
disparities between bound and applied rat es, U.S. exporters face significant uncertainty in the 
Brazilian market. Unfortunately, frequent tariff increases and reductions are made by the Brazilian 
Government to support domestic industries. These frequent and temporary changes in tariffs 
create an unpredictable business environment for importers and exporters, and have a chilling 
effect on investment.  
4.70.   We would like to acknowledge Brazil's leadership in early ratification of the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Agreement in March 2016 and the progress Brazil h as made thus far in implementing 
specific aspects of the Agreement. In this regard, Brazil serves as a positive example for other 
countries in the region. Brazil's implementation of the TFA should lead to increased trade and 
economic growth by reducing the  bureaucratic red tape and cost of doing business, as well as 
fostering greater certainty for the trading community. We are eager to learn more about specific 
steps Brazil is taking to implement the TFA.  
4.71.   We would also like to acknowledge the important and continued progress that Brazil has 
made to enforce intellectual property rights, including the country's efforts to protect intellectual 
property during the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. However, 
shortcomings remain and the lack  of adequate IP protection continues to be an obstacle to U.S. 
exports and investment. For example, there are high levels of counterfeiting and piracy in Brazil, 
including online piracy, and enforcement measures remain inadequate throughout the country, bu t 
especially in the tri -border area with Paraguay and Argentina. Strong IP protection, available to 
both domestic and foreign right holders, is essential to fostering a reliable business climate ripe for 
investment and innovation. The United States stands ready to engage constructively with Brazil to 
build a strong IP environment and to address remaining IP concerns.  
4.72.   In closing, I would like to express my Government's hope and expectation that, going 
forward, Brazil will continue to pursue further reforms a nd more open markets that enable it to 
reap the benefits of expanding trade and global economic opportunity. In addition, we welcome 
further cooperation on trade matters with our excellent Brazilian colleagues both here at the WTO WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  and in the context of our  growing bilateral relationship. We deeply value in particular the excellent 
dialogue between our Missions here in Geneva. We look forward to studying Brazil's answers to our 
questions and to those of other Members. We wish you a successful Trade Policy Re view.   
AUSTRALIA  
4.73.   Australia and Brazil have a strong history of economic engagement and close cooperation in 
multilateral for a, including the WTO. We acknowledge the reform measures Brazil has adopted 
since its last trade since its last Trade Policy Revie w in 2013, especially in the face of one of the 
most severe recessions in its history. We also acknowledge that in the decade through 2014, Brazil 
achieved steady economic growth coupled with poverty reduction and improvements in most social 
indicators, in cluding in health and education.  
4.74.   Australia recognizes that during the review period, Brazil improved its WTO commitments by 
ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and depositing its instrument of acceptance of the 
Fifth Protocol on Financial Serv ices. Australia recognizes Brazil's additional efforts to make trade 
and trade -related information available online. Brazil now grants preferential treatment to services 
and service suppliers from least developed countries (LDCs), in accordance with the de cisions 
adopted at the WTO's Eighth and Ninth Ministerial Conferences, and remains an active participant 
in the multilateral trading system.  
4.75.   Brazil continues to work on strengthening regional economic integration through RTAs 
negotiated within the framewor k of the Southern Common Market, or, "Mercosur". During the 
review period, Brazil, as part of Mercosur, entered into three trade agreements (Venezuela, 
Guyana/Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Southern African Customs Union), with another four concluded 
with thei r entry into force pending (Egypt, Colombia, Palestine, and Peru).  
4.76.   Australia was please to participate in Closer Economic Relations (CER) - Mercosur talks with 
Brazil in Buenos Aires in May 2017. As Brazil will serve as chair of Mercosur for the second hal f of 
2017, Australia looks forward to continued dialogue to promote inter -regional trade and 
investment, as well as identifying how to build stronger ties between our respective economies 
through a scoping study.  
4.77.   As founding members of the Cairns Group, Au stralia and Brazil share an ongoing 
commitment to achieving meaningful agricultural trade liberalization. The signing of a MoU 
between Australia's Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and the 
Brazilian Agricultural Research Cor poration (EMBRAPA) is an example of the progress being made 
in our bilateral relationship in this area.  
4.78.   Brazil is also Australia's largest trading partner in South America, with two -way trade 
between Australia and Brazil totalling $2.8billion in 2016. Our major sectors of economic 
engagement include mining, agribusiness and services, particularly the education sector.  
4.79.   Australia welcomes the measures undertaken by Brazil to open its market to support global 
economic growth, and encourages it to continue to m ove away from protectionist measures and to 
increase competition. Australia encourages measures to ease the regulatory burden for business, 
particularly reforms at the border to facilitate trade and reduce red tape.  
4.80.   We also encourage reform of Brazil's tax ation system. By decreasing complexity in the 
treatment of imported goods and services, and with regard to customs duties and other taxes on 
foreign trade transactions, Brazil can stimulate additional foreign investment. Reform of domestic 
and cross -border  transactions, which are subject to various federal and sub -federal levies, to 
reduce the instance of cross -cumulation for tax base purposes would also ease the cost of doing 
business in Brazil and attract investment.  
4.81.   Australia looks forward to continuing to work closely with Brazil, particularly in the lead up 
to MC11. And are confident Brazil will continue to show the leadership and strong engagement that 
it has during this review period.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  CHILE  
4.82.   Felicitamos a Brasil por la muestra de transparencia que rep resenta el someterse al 
escrutinio de sus pares. Esta decisión, sin lugar a dudas, contribuye al fortalecimiento del sistema.  
4.83.   Para este ejercicio, hemos formulado 29 preguntas. Agradecemos las respuestas recibidas, 
que serán analizadas por nuestros equipo s en Santiago.  
4.84.   Nuestras relaciones diplomáticas con Brasil se remontan casi a los orígenes de la República 
de Chile. Tras la firma de un Tratado de Amistad, Comercio y Navegación en 1838, se ha ido 
forjando una relación cada vez más estrecha, en la que his tóricamente hemos compartido visiones 
e intereses comunes en América Latina y el mundo. En este marco, los vínculos bilaterales se han 
caracterizado por la intensidad y convergencia en materias políticas, un importante intercambio 
comercial y el aumento de l flujo de inversiones recíprocas.  
4.85.   En la coordinación política, el buen entendimiento y la adopción de posturas comunes y 
moderadas han sido fundamentales para nuestro largo proceso de integración regional. La relación 
entre Chile y Brasil ha adquirido pr ogresivamente una dimensión cualitativa que debe ser 
destacada y que Chile valora de manera especial como una base para el acercamiento y 
convergencia entre la Alianza del Pacífico, que integramos con Colombia, México y Perú, y el 
Mercosur.  
4.86.   Chile y Brasil tienen una identidad latinoamericana común y comparten valores 
fundamentales para sus pueblos, como el compromiso irrenunciable con los derechos humanos y 
su firme voluntad por combatir la pobreza, la exclusión y la desigualdad social. También hemos ido 
forjando coincidencias para potenciar la concertación política y la integración regional, con una 
visión renovada acorde con los nuevos tiempos y los desafíos comunes que enfrenta nuestra 
región en la era global. Una integración latinoamericana que potencie nuestra competitividad y 
permita ampliar nuestros mercados, tanto interna como externamente, son propósitos en los que 
coincidimos y que nos proponemos impulsar.  
4.87.   En este sentido, destacamos, por ejemplo, la cooperación energética y la integración 
ferroviar ia, que buscan concretar proyectos de interconexión física entre el Atlántico y el Pacífico a 
través de corredores bioceánicos que no solamente conectarán ambas orillas de la región, sino que 
permitirán a las zonas del centro una salida más expedita de pro ductos y una mayor comunicación 
entre las personas, potenciando los negocios y el turismo. Las relaciones empresariales son 
también un componente importante y creciente entre nuestros países.  
4.88.   La cooperación también se expresa en importantes áreas como la educación, la cultura, la 
ciencia y la tecnología, materias abordadas en el Acuerdo Básico de Cooperación Científica, Técnica 
y Tecnológica, suscrito por ambos países en 1990. Dicho acuerdo ha permitido importantes 
avances en áreas como las Energías Renova bles No Convencionales (ERNC), agricultura, 
investigación antártica y defensa. También existe un enorme potencial de cooperación en las áreas 
de minería, biotecnología y astronomía.  
4.89.   En el ámbito económico -comercial, la relación entre Chile y Brasil es ampl ia y profunda y se 
rige por el Acuerdo de Complementación Económica Nº 35, Chile –MERCOSUR, de 1996. 
Actualmente, la totalidad de los productos comercializados entre ambos países goza de un arancel 
del 0%.  
4.90.   En términos cuantitativos, en 2016 el intercambio c omercial bilateral alcanzó los 
7.700  millones de dólares EE.UU., con un marcado superávit en favor de Brasil. Si bien desde el 
año 2014 el comercio bilateral ha decrecido, Brasil sigue siendo el principal socio comercial de 
Chile en la región y el tercero a nivel mundial.  
4.91.   En materia de inversiones, Brasil es el primer destino de la inversión externa de Chile, pues 
entre 1990 y 2016, alcanzó los 31.700 millones de dólares EE.UU., a través de más de 
150 empresas, que hoy desarrollan 290 proyectos, concentrado s, en primer lugar, en el sector 
servicios, seguido por industria y energía.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.92.   Las inversiones de Brasil en Chile alcanzan los 3.025  millones de dólares EE.UU., al año 
2015, existiendo aún un amplio campo para su crecimiento.  
4.93.   Respecto a la labor que desarr ollamos conjuntamente en la OMC, debemos destacar los 
ámbitos de Facilitación de Inversiones y de Mipymes, así como nuestros comunes empeños para 
lograr resultados sustantivos en materia de ayuda interna en agricultura y subsidios a la pesca, 
entre otros t emas, en la próxima Conferencia Ministerial de Buenos Aires.  
4.94.   Asimismo, coincidimos plenamente en la necesidad de fortalecer el sistema, relevando el rol 
de la OMC tanto en su pilar negociador, como en su pilar regular, en especial en los componentes 
centra les que dan seguridad a los miembros en el cumplimiento de los acuerdos que nos rigen.  
4.95.   No obstante los muchos aspectos positivos que caracterizan la relación entre Chile y Brasil, 
no podemos dejar de manifestar nuestra preocupación por algunos de los resul tados de este 
último examen.  
4.96.   Durante el período examinado, se observa que la orientación general de la política comercial 
brasileña no ha conseguido aún mejoramientos mayores en materia de apertura comercial. La 
Cámara de Comercio Internacional, en su reci ente publicación Open Market Index 2017, sitúa a 
Brasil como la economía más cerrada del G20 y en el puesto 69º entre las 75 mayores economías 
del mundo. Por su parte, el informe Doing Business 2016 del Banco Mundial sitúa a Brasil en 
posiciones que revela n una problemática que necesita ser superada, por ejemplo en las facilidades 
para poner en marcha una empresa. Los datos resultan inquietantes, sobre todo al ser Brasil el 
principal destino de la inversión chilena en el exterior, uno de nuestros socios com erciales más 
relevantes, y un actor muy importante en la economía y el comercio internacional.  
4.97.   Hacemos notar estos aspectos en particular, porque algunas empresas chilenas siguen 
viéndose afectadas (directa o indirectamente) por ciertas medidas, varias de las cuales fueron 
mencionadas por el ponente, y que ya señalábamos en nuestra intervención con ocasión del 
anterior examen de Brasil.  
4.98.   Entre ellas, cabe mencionar el uso de licencias no automáticas a la importación, 
restricciones relacionadas con clasifica ción arancelaria, trato discriminatorio en materia de 
compras públicas, incentivos fiscales distorsionantes, sistemas regulatorio y tributario 
excesivamente complejos y el marcado aumento en el uso de medidas antidumping.  
4.99.   Comprendemos el difícil contexto económico actual, pero a la vez estamos convencidos de 
que sería muy positivo para el país, pero también para la región, que Brasil pudiera avanzar en un 
proceso sostenido de liberalización y facilitación comercial y de las inversiones, y de reformas 
regulatorias que favorezcan el crecimiento de los intercambios.  
4.100.   Sin lugar a dudas que ello contribuiría a consolidar el liderazgo que le corresponde como 
una de las principales economías del mundo.  
4.101.   Estamos seguros que estas realidades serán superadas con el com promiso manifestado 
por sus autoridades en el G20 y en sus políticas internas.  
4.102.   Para concluir, deseamos mucho éxito a Brasil en su séptima revisión de su política 
comercial  
ARGENTINA  
4.103.   Brasil es el socio político y comercial más importante de la Argentina. El  Gobierno 
argentino ha ratificado que la relación bilateral, en el marco del proyecto MERCOSUR, continúa 
siendo el eje de nuestra inserción económica internacional.  
4.104.   Los Presidentes del MERCOSUR han coincidido en la necesidad de eliminar las trabas al 
comer cio bilateral a los efectos de fortalecer la relación y de consolidar una posición común en las 
negociaciones externas. Al respecto, en la reciente visita del Presidente Mauricio Macri a Brasilia, 
en febrero pasado, nuestros Jefes de Estado suscribieron un  Plan de Acción, monitoreado por WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  ambas Cancillerías, que identifica un conjunto de áreas de interés prioritario. Asimismo, se 
reactivó la Comisión Bilateral de Producción y Comercio.  
4.105.   La Argentina desea destacar los logros, a nivel bilateral, como la Cooper ación y Facilitación 
de Inversiones, la modificación del Convenio bilateral para evitar la Doble Imposición, la 
Facilitación de Comercio mediante el reconocimiento mutuo de Certificados de Origen Digital 
(COD), la búsqueda de interoperabilidad de las Venta nillas Únicas de Comercio Exterior (VUCE), y 
la facilitación de la inserción internacional de PYMES. Asimismo, se mantiene un intenso trabajo 
conjunto a nivel multilateral en temas comerciales, agrícolas, sanitarios y fitosanitarios, propiedad 
intelectual,  entre otros.  
4.106.   Valoramos la inserción internacional conjunta que fortalece nuestra posición negociadora. 
En este contexto, la agenda de relacionamiento externo del MERCOSUR mantiene un gran 
dinamismo. Se negocia con la Unión Europea, con los países de la Al ianza del Pacífico y con la 
EFTA, Canadá, Corea, India y Sudáfrica. La Argentina y Brasil están identificando conjuntamente 
nuevos mercados para negociar, en particular en África y Asia, donde se encuentran las economías 
con las más altas tasas de crecimie nto. 
4.107.   La República Argentina observa con gran interés el proceso de recuperación económica en 
Brasil. Tras una fuerte recesión en 2015 -2016, se espera que el PBI vuelva a crecer este año, y 
que el crecimiento se acelere en 2018. En este contexto, nuestro pa ís desea destacar los planes 
del Gobierno brasileño para encarar reformas estructurales y fiscales que permitan consolidar el 
proceso de recuperación económica.  
4.108.   En cuanto a la Inversión Extranjera Directa (IED), Brasil se mantiene como uno de los 
principal es receptores de IED del mundo. Cabe mencionar la mejora en el acceso de la IED a 
determinados servicios de salud. Por otra parte, se destaca la utilización de un nuevo modelo de 
acuerdo sobre inversiones basado en las directrices de la UNCTAD y la OCDE.  
4.109.   La República Argentina reconoce en Brasil un firme defensor del sistema multilateral de 
comercio. Brasil participa activamente en la OMC.  
4.110.   En materia de agricultura, nuestro país desea resaltar el firme compromiso de Brasil con el 
mejoramiento de las discipl inas sobre ayuda interna, en particular con vistas a la próxima 
Conferencia Ministerial en Buenos Aires. Ello, sin desconocer que ninguna reforma de la agricultura 
estará completa si no se amplía el acceso a los mercados para los productos agrícolas, tenie ndo 
incluso en cuenta las repercusiones negativas de los obstáculos no arancelarios al comercio.  
4.111.   En lo que concierne a la formulación de la política comercial, deseamos destacar algunos 
desarrollos positivos. Entre ellos, la puesta en marcha de un programa  de prioridades para 
promover la integración de las empresas brasileñas en el mercado mundial, que tiene lugar en el 
marco de la Confederación Nacional de Industria (CNI). Resulta interesante, también, el 
involucramiento del sector privado en la formulació n de la política comercial por medio del Consejo 
Consultivo del Sector Privado (CONEX) de la Cámara de Comercio Exterior.  
4.112.   En el marco de este examen de política comercial, la Argentina agradece a Brasil por las 
respuestas brindadas a nuestras preguntas. La s respuestas recibidas serán analizadas 
detenidamente por nuestros colegas en Buenos Aires.  
4.113.   Finalizando, y al tiempo de reiterar nuestro reconocimiento por esta nueva oportunidad de 
intercambiar opiniones y consideraciones sobre las políticas y prácticas c omerciales de Brasil, no 
quisiéramos dejar de resaltar una vez más la importancia de este ejercicio de transparencia en 
todos sus aspectos y desear a sus autoridades la exitosa conclusión de este ejercicio.  
SINGAPORE  
4.114.   Brazil is a good friend of Singapore, a nd we will be celebrating our 50th anniversary of 
bilateral relations this November. Since 2012, Brazil has been home to Singapore's first and only 
embassy in Latin America, and remains a key trading partner for us in the region. Brazil is 
Singapore's thir d-largest trading partner in Latin America, with bilateral trade amounting to 
US$1.98 billion in 2016. Despite our large geographical distance from Brazil, the number of WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  Brazilian visitors to Singapore has more than doubled from over 9,000 in 2010 to over 19,000 in 
2016.  
4.115.   Singapore companies find Brazil to be an attractive market in Latin America. Today, more 
than 50 Singapore companies – both large and small – have a presence in Brazil, in diverse fields 
such as freight and logistics, consumer electronics, and oil and gas, and their stock of investments 
amounted to almost S$1 billion in end -2015. Likewise, we believe Brazilian companies look to 
Singapore for similar opportunities, in particular to leverage on Singapore's position as a logistics 
and trade hub  to expand operations in markets within the Southeast Asian region. There are over 
50 Brazilian companies registered in Singapore.  
4.116.   In the face of economic challenges of negative GDP growth, and increased unemployment 
and inflation rates, Brazil has taken s teps to curb its public spending growth, avoided influencing 
its exchange rates, and has taken steps to promote FDI by concluding bilateral investment, 
protection and promotion agreements. Brazil has always taken its multilateral trade commitments 
seriousl y, and has played an important leadership role in the WTO. Brazil's implementation of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement – such as updating its single window - and the LDC Services Waiver 
are examples of its commitment to the multilateral trading system.  
4.117.   Brazil has maintained a good notification record in some areas, including on its agricultural 
export subsidies and support, SPS and TBT measures, and its annual submission of tariff and trade 
data to the WTO Integrated Data Base. We hope Brazil will extend t his commitment to fulfilling its 
obligations to all relevant areas of the WTO, including for example notifying updates to its IP 
legislation since 2001. We note Brazil's clarification that importers may request for the lower 
bound rates for the 134 tariff lines where the applied rates exceed the bound rates. Nonetheless, 
we urge Brazil to rectify this by lowering applied rates to within the limits of its bound rates in 
order to give greater certainty to importers and to be in line with its WTO commitments. We 
encourage Brazil to relook its significant use of anti -dumping measures, as we note that at 
end-2016, 163 anti -dumping measures were in place.  
4.118.   Finally, we would like to commend Ambassador Evandro Didonet and his capable team for 
their active participat ion and engagement on the full spectrum of issues that we face in the WTO, 
as well as the ongoing plurilateral discussions on fisheries subsidies. We look forward to continuing 
our cooperation with the Brazilian delegation in working towards a successful M C11 in Buenos 
Aires, and delivering meaningful outcomes for the system. We wish Brazil a very successful TPR.   
NEW  ZEALAND  
4.119.   Despite the economic challenges Brazil has faced during this review period we are pleased 
to see the economy post positive growth in  2017. We welcome Brazil's commitment to an open, 
rules-based multilateral trading system. New Zealand appreciates Brazil's active role in working to 
ensure the success of MC11, which is highlighted by the work that Brazil is doing across the board 
in Gene va. Brazil is a significant economic partner for New Zealand, especially in terms of 
investment and trade in services, and we are enthusiastic about prospects for deepening our 
economic ties with Brazil through the MERCOSUR bloc.  
4.120.   Brazil is a key member of the Cairns group, where it works with New Zealand and fellow 
Members to liberalise trade in agricultural exports. We congratulate Brazil on its continued low 
level of domestic support to agricultural producers, compared with OECD levels. As an agricultural  
powerhouse itself, Brazil has a responsibility to lead the way in reducing trade distortions in the 
agricultural sector. New Zealand recognises that the majority of Brazil's farms remain small family 
operations that are still in the process of modernisati on, however we encourage Brazil to ensure 
rural credit and insurance subsidies are directed to those small family farms that need it and not to 
commercial operations.  
4.121.   We applaud Brazil's relative openness to foreign direct investment, and congratulate its  
maintenance of its position as the most attractive investment location in Latin America and the 
Caribbean in 2015 despite its difficult economic climate. New Zealand welcomes Brazil's efforts to 
share its investment facilitation experiences with other WTO  Members through the informal 
dialogue on investment.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.122.   New Zealand congratulates the Government's moves to lift restriction on foreign ownership 
of agricultural land which has had a significant impact on the plans of foreign companies, including 
from New Ze aland, for investment in Brazil's agribusiness sector. We encourage Brazil to prioritise 
these legislative changes given the importance of foreign investment to increasing the 
competitiveness of national industries.  
4.123.   Notwithstanding the positive steps it h as taken since the last review, we think there is still 
scope for Brazil to do more particularly around alleviating some trade policies aimed at protecting 
certain industries from foreign competition.  
4.124.   Brazil continues to be one of the world's largest users  of anti -dumping procedures. 
New Zealand welcomes the steps Brazil is taking to modernize its legal and operational framework 
related to anti -dumping measures and other trade remedies. We encourage Brazil to ensure that 
its anti -dumping processes continue to be applied accurately and fairly and only against imported 
products that do in fact pose a serious injury or threat to Brazilian industries.  
4.125.   New Zealand takes this opportunity to recall the importance we attach to on -going 
negotiations aimed at addressi ng harmful fisheries subsidies. We look forward to working closely 
with Brazil in that process as we work towards an outcome at MC11. We have some concerns over 
existing support programmes and how these could contribute to overfishing or overcapacity. We 
welcome Brazil's responses to our questions about these programmes, and will review them over 
the coming days. We commend Brazil in its efforts for reducing fossil fuel subsidies.  
4.126.   As one of the world's largest economies Brazil has an important role in show ing leadership 
on international trade and investment. We welcome Brazil's continued commitment to the 
multilateral trading system and look forward to further discussion of the issues we have raised 
during the course of this review.  
NORWAY  
4.127.   As stated in Braz il's report, the period examined since Brazil's last TPR in 2013 has indeed 
been challenging. Declining economic activity, two consecutive years of contraction of GDP, and 
painful rising unemployment has put strain on the economy, and not least the people,  of Brazil. 
We welcome the expected return to growth in 2017.  
4.128.   The challenges Brazil has gone through could have tempted some countries to turn to 
inward looking policies and protectionism. We are pleased that this has not happened. Brazil has 
instead signa lled clearly that a combination of domestic reforms and openness to trade is essential 
for economic recovery, growth and prosperity. But as we have heard today, challenges still 
remain, for instance as referred to in the World Bank Group's Ease of Doing Bu siness report.  
4.129.   Norway appreciates Brazil's clear signals that strengthening and supporting the multilateral 
trading system will remain a priority, as well as Brazil's pragmatism and willingness to engage 
actively in discussions of different topics, includi ng so -called other issues, on their own merit.  
4.130.   We have seen this demonstrated in practice. Brazil has taken a leading role in members' 
discussions on investment facilitation, and is actively participating in negotiations on fisheries 
subsidies multilateral ly and plurilaterally in order to implement Sustainable Development Goal 14.6 
in the WTO.  
4.131.   In the lead -up to MC10, Brazil's constructive input and engagement in the negotiations on 
agriculture contributed to achieving a positive result on export competitio n. We are encouraged by 
signals that similar efforts may be undertaken in the lead -up to MC11. We would, however, 
caution that a one -size-fits-all approach to a complex area such as domestic support would be 
unlikely to bring results.  
4.132.   We call upon Brazil t o consider accession to ITA I and ITA II. More affordable and 
predictable access to information technology can make valuable contributions to people's lives and 
to business development – not least for small and medium sized enterprises. We also join others  in 
hoping for Brazil's accession to the GPA.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.133.   The work in the International Working Group (IWG) on export credits is important. Norway 
appreciates Brazil's participation in the Steering Committee of the IWG. It is crucial that 
competition among exporters i s based on the quality and price of the offered goods and services, 
rather than on the most favourable financial terms and conditions.  
4.134.   Counting the European Union as one trading partner, Brazil is Norway's eighth largest 
source of goods imports and tenth largest destination of Norwegian goods exports. Exports of 
seafood accounts for almost 20 percent of Norway's total export of goods to Brazil, but has 
decreased in value from 2014 to 2016. We hope that export of "bacalau" and other excellent 
Norwegian seaf ood, like shrimps and salmon, will increase in the future. The recent initiation of 
free trade negotiations between EFTA and Mercosur enhances the prospects for improvements in 
bilateral trade.  
4.135.   We welcome recent reforms in the offshore petroleum activities  in Brazil. Increased 
competition within a predictable regulatory framework will strengthened the competitiveness of 
companies, and the productivity in the sector.  
4.136.   Norway commends Brazil for aligning itself with OECD's standards, and supports Brazil's 
accession to the OECD.  
4.137.   I will not repeat every written question we raised ahead of today's meeting, but mention 
some concerns.  
4.138.   In relation to exports of seafood, we welcome the new electronic system for product and 
label registration, which came into force in January this year. However, technical problems remain, 
and exporters risk being shut out of the Brazilian market. We urge the Brazilian authorities to 
show flexibility as regards the set deadline for processing applications, and to take every step 
needed t o avoid that the registration process becomes a technical barrier to trade.  
4.139.   Turning to maritime transport services, enhanced competition in coastal shipping of goods 
and passengers can contribute to improved services and increased productivity.  
4.140.   Finally, a recurring complaint by companies in Brazil is costly and burdensome 
administration of tax payments. We therefore ask for updates on plans to reform, simplify and 
unite these systems.  
4.141.   We thank Brazil for its constructive approach and for its strong support for the multilateral 
trading system not just through words, but deeds. Norway wishes Brazil a successful Trade Policy 
Review.  
CHINA  
4.142.   As a founding Member of the WTO, Brazil has always been a staunch advocate of the 
rules-based multilateral trading system. C hina commends Brazil's position, especially in the 
current scenario of mounting anti -trade and anti -globalization sentiment. We appreciate Brazil's 
efforts to voice for the developing countries in the DDA negotiations. China stands ready to 
cooperate with Brazil towards positive outcomes at the MC11.  
4.143.   China welcomes Brazil's recent declaration that it will fulfil the obligations under Article 15 
of the Protocol on China's Accession to the WTO and terminate the use of "surrogate country" 
approach in anti -dump ing investigations against Chinese products. China believes all Members are 
obliged to abide by the current international economic and political order especially in face of 
global uncertainties to uphold the authority of the multilateral trading system and  in turn serves 
the interests of the Members themselves.  
4.144.   China notes that Brazil's economy has experienced one of the most severe recessions in 
history in 2015 -2016, accompanied by steep rise in inflation and unemployment as well as strong 
contractions in  consumption and investment. China is pleased to see that Brazil's implementation 
of structural reforms begins to have positive effect and would like to work with Brazil in times of 
difficulty to strive for a sustainable economic recovery, which will not o nly inject new vitality to the 
economy in Latin America but also the world as a whole.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.145.   On the bilateral front, as the largest developing countries and important emerging 
economies respectively in the eastern and western hemispheres, China and Brazil enjoy  profound 
traditional friendship, longstanding strategic partnership and increased economic and trade 
relations. China has remained Brazil's largest trading partner for eight consecutive years from 
2009 to 2016. Brazil is China's largest trading partner an d largest investment destination in Latin 
America. In 2016, bilateral trade volume amounted to US$67.71 billion. China's total accumulated 
investment in Brazil has reached US$26.56 billion by the end of 2015, covering a wide range of 
areas.  
4.146.   That being sai d, despite the efforts made by Brazil as described in both reports to 
streamline foreign trade procedures, promote trade facilitation and improve the business 
environment, there are still areas of concern for us and I would like to take this opportunity to  
name a few of them.  
4.147.   First, Brazil remains a significant user of trade remedies, particularly anti -dumping 
measures. Meanwhile, China notes that Brazil initiated the first countervailing investigation against 
China on imported hot rolled steel. China has to point out that the case was initiated in overt 
absence of adequate evidence, which is not consistent with Brazilian domestic law and initiation 
requirements stipulated in the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. China 
calls upon Brazi l to use trade remedy measures in a prudent way and terminate the countervailing 
investigation as soon as possible.  
4.148.   Second, Brazil remains an overly complex internal taxation regime with taxes levied at 
various federal and sub -federal levies. This not only  has a considerable impact on the price of 
imported goods, but also poses numerous challenges for foreign companies operating in Brazil, 
including Chinese companies. We encourage Brazil to reinforce its efforts to simplify its tax system 
and reduce the one rous tax burden.  
4.149.   Last but not least, we thank the Brazilian delegation for their reply to China's written 
questions, which we will go through carefully.  
4.150.   To conclude, I wish the seventh TPR of Brazil a full success.  
COLOMBIA  
4.151.   Brasil es un importante socio c omercial de Colombia en la región. En el año 2016, 
representó el octavo destino de nuestras exportaciones y el cuarto origen de nuestras 
importaciones, así como una fuente importante de inversión extranjera y de turistas. Con Brasil 
compartimos una extensa  frontera de 1.644 kilómetros, lo cual ha motivado a nuestros Gobiernos 
a fortalecer sus esfuerzos en la ampliación, intensificación y diversificación de la agenda comercial 
a través de múltiples mecanismos bilaterales y de cooperación en foros como la ALA DI, la CELAC, 
UNASUR y la Organización del Tratado de Cooperación Amazónica.  
4.152.   Resaltamos que a pesar de la recesión económica de los últimos años que golpeó a las 
principales economías del mundo, entre estas la brasilera, ésta siga figurando entre las 10 d e 
mayor tamaño, con una actividad económica crecientemente diversificada. Por otra parte, se 
destaca la importancia del sector de los servicios, siendo éste el que más contribuye al valor 
añadido bruto y a la creación de empleos. Esto se evidencia en que B rasil ocupa el puesto 32º 
como exportador de servicios del mundo y el 19º como importador.  
4.153.   Tal como lo indica el informe de la Secretaría, reconocemos que en los últimos años, Brasil 
ha puesto en marcha diversas iniciativas de reforma comercial con el obj etivo de promover el 
crecimiento, tales como, la facilitación del comercio, las medidas antidumping y la promoción de 
las PYMES. Adicionalmente, resaltamos su activa participación en el sistema multilateral, 
evidenciado con la reciente ratificación del Acu erdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio (AFC), el 
depósito del instrumento de aceptación del Quinto Protocolo sobre servicios financieros y su rol 
proactivo en las negociaciones multilaterales.  
4.154.   Para este examen, Colombia presentó preguntas relacionadas con l a gestión del CAMEX, 
los procedimientos y requisitos para el acceso al SISCOMEX, los criterios y procedimiento para el 
otorgamiento de licencias automáticas y no automáticas. También preguntamos acerca de las WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  medidas a implementar para evitar la aplicación  de restricciones innecesarias como resultado de 
las medidas anti -dumping adoptadas, las cuales han sido objeto de revisión en la agenda bilateral, 
buscando facilitar los flujos de comercio e inversiones. Agradecemos a la delegación brasilera por 
las respu estas recibidas, las cuales estudiaremos.  
4.155.   Con miras hacia el futuro y, como se desprende del Informe de la Secretaría, Brasil 
enfrenta múltiples desafíos, que requieren de la implementación de varias reformas en sus 
políticas, dentro de las cuales se desta can mejoras en cuanto a la facilitación de las inversiones 
extranjeras, la disminución de las prohibiciones para la propiedad extranjera, la simplificación de 
su política fiscal, las mejoras en infraestructura y la diversificación de sus relaciones comerci ales. 
Consideramos que iniciativas en estos campos permitirán a Brasil aumentar su posicionamiento en 
índices de facilitación del comercio, competitividad y facilidad de hacer negocios, generando el 
espacio para el mejor aprovechamiento de su potencial de crecimiento beneficiando también a sus 
socios comerciales en la región.  
4.156.   Finalizamos esta declaración deseándole a Brasil y a su delegación el mayor de los éxitos 
en su séptimo Examen de Política Comercial.  
INDIA  
4.157.   We note from the Secretariat's report that during the period of review Brazil's largely 
domestic driven economy slowed down and entered into recession in 2015 -16. Annual GDP growth 
rate dropped 3% in 2013 to turn negative in 2015 -16 with slowing down of both consumption and 
capital formation in the  economy. The other challenges for Brazil include rising inflation, 
unemployment, handling public debt and other fiscal challenges. We commend Brazil for 
undertaking reforms and bold measures to address these challenges which include initiating 
structural and trade related reforms in several sectors like energy, manufacturing and transport, 
measures of trade facilitation, supporting SME's and monetary policy interventions to control 
inflation which are beginning to have a positive impact on the economy. Bra zil is also making 
efforts to promote foreign direct investment in various sectors.  
4.158.   India and Brazil share close deep rooted and historical ties which have strengthened 
considerably in recent times with regular high -level exchanges. Trade and economic rela tions are 
important pillars of our relations with Brazil. Brazil is India's most important trading partner in 
Latin America. The India -Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement which came in effect in June 2009 
also gave a boost to our bilateral trade. Till 20 14 bilateral trade increased substantially, thereafter, 
it witnessed a down turn in the last two years in light of the global economic conditions and 
slowdown in Brazil's economy. We are confident this trend will be reversed as Brazil undertakes 
reforms an d efforts to boost growth.  
4.159.   We had posed a number of questions to Brazil and the replies received would be reviewed 
by my authorities. However, I wish to highlight some specific concerns which undermine the vast 
underlying potential of our trade and economi c ties.  
4.160.   Investments by Indian companies in Brazil are growing steadily. A large number of Indian 
companies are present in Brazil in areas including IT, mining, energy, bio fuels, pharmaceuticals, 
agri business, manufacturing, engineering and automobiles wi th investments reaching 
US$5  billion. However, Indian companies continue to face considerable difficulties related to 
complex regulatory mechanisms for registration, long drawn procedures for issuance of licences 
and hurdles for investment approvals.  
4.161.   Indian pharmaceutical companies provide quality generic medicines to Brazil at very 
competitive prices. However, many companies in Brazil are facing difficulties related to complex 
procedures for product registration and other requirements laid down by Brazil's  National Health 
Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). We urge the Government of Brazil to look into the complex regime 
of product registration, documentary requirements, inspection, etc. for Indian pharmaceutical 
companies which are hampering our bilateral trade and depriving Brazil of pharmaceuticals which 
our companies provide at the best value for money.  
4.162.   In the area of textiles and leather, Indian goods face non -tariff barriers like quality 
standards, labelling requirements, packaging requirements, etc. which n eed to be addressed.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.163.   Major Indian IT companies have presence in Brazil and are contributing for 
transformational changes of Brazil's economy and growth of high tech industries. These companies 
face issues related to permissions for movement of qualified pr ofessionals, taxation and language. 
Signing of an MOU in the services sector between both countries will give a considerable boost to 
trade.  
4.164.   India is emerging as a hub for small cars. Automobile sector holds considerable potential 
for trade between both co untries. Brazil's Inovar Auto regulations impose several conditionalities 
on automobile trade for foreign companies, we urge Brazil to revisit these regulations when they 
become due for review in December 2017.  
4.165.   In the oil and gas sector, Brazil is an impor tant country for Indian's ONGC Videsh Ltd. 
However, despite considerable interest the company is currently facing several operational 
challenges like local content regulations, taxation, environmental issues, licensing processes and 
delays in clearances fr om regulators.  
4.166.   Finally, we wish to highlight the difficulties faced by Indian professionals and business 
visitors for obtaining business visas for visiting Brazil which is cumbersome, procedurally complex 
and time consuming.  
4.167.   We urge and hope the Government  of Brazil will look into all these issues comprehensively 
and address these for mutual benefit.  
4.168.   We work closely with Brazil in the WTO. I take this opportunity to thank Ambassador 
Evandro Didonet and his team in Geneva for their excellent work and coopera tion to seek 
outcomes in MC11. We wish the delegation of Brazil a productive and successful TPR.  
JAPAN  
4.169.   Needless to say, Brazil is one of the most important partners for Japan in this region. We 
will continue our efforts to maintain and further develop the strong ties between us.  
4.170.   According to the Secretariat report, since its previous Trade Policy Review in 2013, Brazil's 
economy has been in severe recession, triggered by deteriorating terms of trade and exacerbated 
by a bout of political uncertainty. Japan hopes that Brazil will effectively address these challenges 
and continue contributing to global trade with a revived economy.  
4.171.   Japan positively evaluates Brazil for the active contribution it has made to the WTO in the 
form of valuable papers and timely sta tements. Japan also commends Brazil on its actions during 
the review period. Brazil strengthened its commitments by ratifying the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement (TFA) and depositing its instrument of acceptance of the Fifth Protocol on Financial 
Services. Mo reover, Brazil now grants preferential treatment to services and services suppliers 
from least developed countries (LDCs), which Japan also commends.  
4.172.   Having said that, Japan believes there is room for improvement. According to the STRI by 
the OECD, Brazil maintains more trade restrictive measure to the Foreign Service operators than 
the other Latin American countries. Consequently, the level of market access commitments is 
lower than the average of the other Latin America countries. Japan encourages Brazil to reassess 
its commitments.  
4.173.   Turning to the FTA, Japan is aware that Brazil continues to work on strengthening regional 
economic integration through RTAs negotiated within the framework of the Southern Common 
Market and the Latin American Integration Assoc iation (LAIA). It has also been placing emphasis 
on RTAs negotiated with trading partners outside the region.  
4.174.   While we are now seeing the progress of trade liberalization in the Mercosur Member 
countries, Japan would like to continue discussing possible wa ys to promote trade and investment 
between Japan and Mercosur.  
4.175.   Now let me touch upon some more specific issues.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.176.   First I would like to mention on of Brazil's industry support programmes for the period 
2013-17, "INOVAR -Auto". INOVAR -Auto was introduced to pr omote technological development in 
the Brazilian automotive industry and address competition challenges, but it will expire at the end 
of this year. We are aware that it will be succeeded by the ROTA 2030 programme. As Japan has 
been concerned with INOVAR -AUTO due to its inconsistency with the WTO Agreements, we request 
that the upcoming ROTA 2030 programme be fully consistent with the WTO Agreements.  
4.177.   Second, Japan recognizes that the National Bank for economic and Social Development 
(BNDES) has been playin g an important role in providing financing for infrastructure development 
as well as to individual entrepreneurs in a wide range of industries. According to the Secretariat 
report, the BNDES is now reviewing the eligibility criteria for its schemes, includ ing any local 
content requirements, and adapting them to changing market condition. Japan intends to monitor 
the review process, and encourages the Brazilian Government to ensure the transparency and 
predictability of BNDES schemes.  
4.178.   In conclusion, I would like to express our strong wish to continue cooperation between 
Brazil and Japan. We wish Brazil a successful and productive TPR.  
THE SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU  
4.179.   There are signs that Brazil's economy is now gradually reco vering from a recession. At the 
same time, we have noted that Brazil's economy still remains vulnerable to tumbling commodity 
prices, political uncertainties and fiscal imbalances, which suggest the continuing need for the 
Brazilian Government to take the necessary reforms and measures aimed at achieving more 
sustainable and inclusive development.  
4.180.   We commend Brazil on its strong commitment to the multilateral trading system and its 
active engagement in the WTO. Brazil has always played an important role in DDA and non -DDA 
issues alike, and in agriculture, dispute settlement, e -commerce and MSMEs in particular. My 
delegation has enjoyed working with Ambassador Evandro Didonet and his team here in Geneva, 
and we look forward to continuing our friendly working relationship in the future.  
4.181.   According to the OECD's economic outlook on Brazil published in June, "the economy 
remains fairly closed, which hampers competition and limits access to imported intermediate 
inputs." It goes on to say that "the recent easing o f local content rules is welcome, but trade 
barriers remain high". We are certainly aware of some measures adopted and maintained by 
Brazil, which may well have had a restrictive impact on trade. For example, the non -automatic 
licensing requirements have a pplied to at least 5,460 tariff lines.  
4.182.   In addition to customs tariffs, imports into Brazil are subject to a number of internal taxes 
as well. These taxes tend to vary along various dimensions, making Brazil's tax system rather 
complex (to say the least), e specially when it comes to imports. We also note that, since 2014, 
Brazil has charged an equalization tax on international E -purchases, at a flat rate of 60%. On this, 
it would be particularly appreciated if Brazil could elaborate further on the applicatio n and reasons 
for this policy.  
4.183.   We welcome Brazil's Portal Único programme, which is based on the single window 
provisions of the TFA. This should, in our view, have the desired positive effect of streamlining and 
facilitating trade procedures. We would als o like to see Brazil continuing to open -up its market to 
trade, and introducing more flexible policies conducive to growth. And, we urge Brazil to consider 
becoming a signatory to the Agreement on Government Procurement, to allow direct participation 
by foreign firms.  
4.184.   In past years, we enjoy close and mutually beneficial economic ties with Brazil. In 2016, 
for example, the total value of two -way trade between us amounted to approximately US$3 billion, 
which makes Brazil our second -largest trading partner in  Latin America. Aside from trade, our 
investments in Brazil reached a cumulative total value of US$372 million by the end of 2016. And 
we are convinced there is enormous potential for even greater cooperation between us in the 
future.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.185.   In our written quest ions submitted in advance, we asked about certain aspects of Brazil's 
trade policies that are of particular interest to us. We thank Brazil for its answers, which we shall 
examine carefully.  
4.186.   In conclusion, we wish Brazil a constructive and successful Trade  Policy Review.  
REPUBLIC  OF KOREA  
4.187.   I am pleased that o ver the years, Korea  and Brazil  have enjoyed  a mutually beneficial  
economic  partnership.  
4.188.   Brazil remains Korea's second largest trading partner in Latin America. Brazil is Korea's 
24th largest export mark et, while Korea is Brazil's 12th largest export destination as of 2016.  
4.189.   Our economic partnership is also characterized by growing investment relations. Korea's 
total stock of investment in Brazil has reached US$8.5 billion. The number of Korean business 
operating in Brazil almost doubled over the last decade.   
4.190.   In an effort to further strengthen our economic relationship, the Korea -Brazil Industry 
Cooperation Forum was held on 9 May of this year, with almost 100 companies and 300 business 
people from both c ountries participating. Given the complementary nature of the two economies, 
we are confident that both countries will be able to bring their relations to new heights in the 
coming years.  
4.191.   In particular, we believe that a mutually beneficial trade agreement  between the two 
countries could serve as a stepping stone toward expanding our economic exchange. In this 
regard, we are pleased to note that the preliminary discussions on launching negotiations for a 
Korea -Mercosur FTA are under way.  
4.192.   We believe that de spite the great distance between our two countries, there is still 
excellent potential for our trade and investment ties to grow even further.  
4.193.   Brazil is one of the world's largest economies and, as such, it is important that it show 
leadership on internati onal trade.  
4.194.   We commend Brazil for its active participation in WTO activities, including submitting 
various proposals in the ongoing negotiations. We believe it is very important that Brazil, as a 
responsible player in international trade, continue its str ong commitment to strengthening the 
multilateral trading system.  
4.195.   In this regard, we welcome that Brazil ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), 
deposited its instrument of acceptance for the Fifth Protocol on Financial Services, and grants 
prefer ential treatment to services and service suppliers from LDCs.   
4.196.   We also note that Brazil, as a Member of the Mercosur, continues to pursue trade 
liberalization through bilateral and regional trade agreements. As indicated in the Secretariat's 
report, durin g the review period, three agreements1 entered into force, four2 were concluded with 
their entry into force pending, and two3 are still being negotiated.  
4.197.   In recent years, Brazil has significantly expanded the scope of its trade relations, and now 
has stro ng trade ties with Asian countries including Korea. We hope that negotiations for a trade 
agreement between Korea and Mercosur will be launched soon.  
4.198.   We appreciate that Brazilian new Government recently announced "A bridge to the future" 
initiative to revi ve its economy, focusing on reform and opening policy. It is my sincere hope that 
Brazil will proceed with those policies as planned and be able to achieve economic recovery.  
                                                
1 Venezuel a, Guyana/Sa int Kitts and Nevis  and Southern African Customs Union.  
2 Egypt, Colombia, Palestine  and Peru. 
3 European Union  and Mexico.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.199.   We acknowledge the continued progress that Brazil has made in enhancing the 
effectiveness of intellectual property rights enforcement. At this TPR, my delegation submitted 
advance written questions on Brazil's national IPR legislation for clarification and better 
understanding of Brazil's IPR regime. We thank the delegation of Brazil f or providing answers to 
those questions, which we will review carefully.  
4.200.   I would like to take this opportunity to point out some of our concerns over Brazil's 
trade -related measures, which include tax preferences linked to local content conditions and 
industry specific incentives in the automotive (INOVA -AUTO), information technology, and 
pharmaceutical industries. We are also concerned about the frequent use of trade remedy 
measures4 and tendering law that prefers local suppliers and producers.  
4.201.   I understa nd that other Members have also raised their concerns regarding these 
measures in the relevant WTO bodies. We hope and trust that the Brazilian Government will work 
closely with Members to address these concerns in a timely and appropriate manner.  
4.202.   Let me c onclude by emphasizing the important role Brazil plays in the WTO. Especially in 
the run -up to MC -11, we look forward to Brazil's constructive engagement that will help the efforts 
to achieve meaningful and realistic outcomes in December.  
4.203.   Finally, w e would  like to express our warm thanks once again to the delegation of Brazil for 
their hard work and wish them every success in this TPR. 
UKRAINE  
4.204.   Brazil is in top 10 of largest economies in the world. Bilaterally our countries have enjoyed 
good trade, economic and technical partnership relations. Brazil ranks 4th place among the trading 
partners of Ukraine with the countries of the American region.  
4.205.   In 2016, goods and services trade volumes between Brazil and Ukraine amounted to 
US$230 million, export from Ukrai ne to Brazil amounted to US$33 million and import from Brazil to 
Ukraine was US$195 million.  
4.206.   The main items imported by Brazil from Ukraine are meat and fish products; and other 
products of animal origin. Ukraine imports from Brazil mainly tobacco, variou s foodstuff, ferrous 
metals, equipment, sugar and coffee.  
4.207.   Ukraine is looking forward to further enhancing mutual economic cooperation between our 
countries in such areas as: agriculture, healthcare, industry, space, science, technology and 
innovation; and fruitful development of business cooperation.  
4.208.   Ukraine appreciates the cooperation with Brazil across the bodies of the WTO on different 
issues. Being strongly committed to the rule -based multilateral trading system, Ukraine highly 
welcomes the efforts of B razil and its contribution to further development of the system and trade 
liberalization and delivering meaningful outcomes for MC11.  
4.209.   Within this TPR exercise Ukraine has submitted a number of specific questions on a range 
of the following topics:  
 interna l taxation regime;  
 labour market policies;  
 facilitation of customs clearance procedures;  
 non-automatic licensing requirements;  
 National Export Plan;  
 intellectual property rights:  
 domestic support in agriculture;  
 implementation of the Foreign Trade Single W indow Programme;  
                                                
4 Brazil remains a significant user of trade remedies, particularly anti -dumping (AD) measures. During 
the period under review, 123 new AD investigations were initiated, and as of 31 December 2016, 163 definitive 
AD measures were in place, c overing a wide range of sectors (Secretariat  report) . WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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   National Trade Facilitation Committee; and  
 participation in the GP Agreement etc.   
4.210.   We would also like to express our concern with regard to definitive anti -dumping measures 
imposed by Brazil to the imports of Ukrainian rolled flat metal , steel pipes and tires.  
4.211.   We are grateful to Brazil for the responses to the Ukraine's questions, which we are 
reviewing thoroughly.  
4.212.   Finally, I would like to express our appreciation to the delegation of Brazil and to the team 
of the Brazilian Mission in Ge neva for their great efforts in preparing this TPR and for the fruitful 
cooperation on the wide range of WTO issues. We wish Brazil successful TPR and look forward to 
further strengthening our bilateral relations.  
EL SALVADOR  
4.213.   Del informe de la Secretaría o bservamos los esfuerzos que el gobierno de Brasil ha venido 
realizando mediante la adopción de políticas comerciales para contrarrestar la desaceleración 
económica, tales como el establecimiento de medidas de facilitación del comercio, defensa 
comercial, i ncentivos a la producción, apoyo a la pequeña empresa, así como otras de tipo fiscal y 
monetario, las cuales esperamos que brinden los resultados esperados.  
4.214.   En cuanto a sus políticas para la promoción de exportaciones, nos llama la atención el 
Programa de  Financiación de las Exportaciones (PROEX) y los sistemas de créditos a la exportación 
en apoyo a las empresas exportadoras. Según el informe de la Secretaría, este Programa tiene el 
propósito de incentivar las exportaciones de productos con alto contenido  de insumo nacional que 
entendemos es requisito para poder obtener los beneficios de financiación.  
4.215.   También quisiéramos manifestar nuestra preocupación del alto número de líneas 
arancelarias que están sujetas a licencias no automáticas, las cuales represen tan más de la mitad 
de su arancel. Instamos a Brasil a evaluar la necesidad de mantener estas medidas y que se 
realicen esfuerzos para eliminarlas o reducirlas.  
4.216.   En el plano bilateral se mantiene una estrecha relación, y se han impulsado proyectos de 
coope ración técnica en las áreas de desarrollo territorial, agricultura familiar, seguridad ciudadana, 
salud, educación, justicia y prevención de la violencia, reinserción social, transferencia tecnológica, 
transferencia de metodologías de programas sociales, e ntre otros.  
4.217.   En el ámbito comercial, Brasil se ubica en el lugar número once dentro de nuestros 
principales proveedores de bienes en el año 2016, lo cual refleja la importancia comercial de dicho 
país. El comercio total bilateral en ese mismo año fue de 161  millones de dólares EE.UU., 
exportando principalmente prendas de vestir y láminas de plástico, mientras que las exportaciones 
de Brasil a El Salvador fueron principalmente generadores de energía, vehículos, extractos y 
esencias de café, entre otros.  
4.218.   Asimi smo, en el marco de este ejercicio hemos realizado preguntas a Brasil relativas a 
licencias de importación, normas y prescripciones técnicas, propiedad intelectual, políticas de 
competencia, entre otras, por lo que agradecemos las respuestas provistas las cuales están siendo 
analizadas por funcionarios en capital.  
4.219.   Por último, destacamos la labor del Brasil en las tareas ordinarias y de negociación 
multilaterales que se celebran en esta Organización, ya que Brasil es un miembro muy activo, que 
promueve el l ibre comercio basado en normas, que permitan lograr un real y efectivo 
aprovechamiento de los países en desarrollo en el comercio internacional. En ese sentido, 
destacamos el papel del Embajador Didonet y su equipo en Ginebra.  
4.220.   Solo nos resta felicitar a B rasil y desearle el mayor de los éxitos en este ejercicio, el cual 
esperamos sea de mucha utilidad.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  REPÚBLICA  DOMINICANA  
4.221.   Brasil y Republica Dominicana comparten una larga historia de amistad y de cooperación 
en el área comercial. En el 1911, se instaló po r primera vez un consulado brasileño en territorio 
dominicano.  
4.222.   En el aspecto económico, las relaciones entre los dos países son sólidas y vienen 
profundizándose en los últimos años donde el flujo de comercio bilateral ha pasado de 379 
millones de dólares E E.UU. en 2014, a un valor un poco superior a los 686 millones de dólares 
EE.UU., lo que refleja un fuerte crecimiento del 81% en solo dos años.    
4.223.   Los productos comercializados son muy diversos, lo que demuestra un comercio con 
fuertes raíces de su sosteni bilidad. Desde Brasil, se importa hierro, maíz, maquinas, productos de 
plásticos tractores, autobuses entre otros. Las empresas dominicanas venden a Brasil 
principalmente bienes industrializados, como productos farmacéuticos, instrumentos de medicina, 
maqu inas eléctricas, productos de plástico y calzados.  
4.224.   También el flujo en el sector de servicios se ha venido expandiendo con mostrada 
fortaleza, principalmente en el transporte aéreo y en el turismo, donde los turistas brasileños son 
transportados en vuelos directos que unen las principales ciudades de Brasil a Punta Cana. Entre 
2014 y 2015, el número de ciudadanos  brasileños que pasaron sus vacaciones en territorio 
dominicano, paso de 114 000 a 140 000, un crecimiento de 23% en solo un año.  
4.225.   Brasil tiene igu almente muchas e importantes inversiones en República Dominicana. Entre 
las empresas presentes en el país están la Cervecería Nacional -Ambev, empresa líder del sector de 
bebidas, Metaldom -Gerdau, en el sector siderúrgico, y Paqueta, una industria de calzad os con más 
de tres mil empleados en la zona franca de Santiago, así como otras empresas en los sectores de 
ingeniería, maquinaria y textil.  
4.226.   En este su séptimo examen de política comercial, vemos con preocupación los indicadores 
económicos reflejados en el informe de la Secretaría, en el que se indica que desde su último 
examen de política comercial, realizado en el 2013, la economía de Brasil, impulsada en gran 
medida por la demanda interna, se fue desacelerando y en 2015 -2016 se sumió en una grave 
recesión , provocada por el deterioro de la relación de intercambio y acentuada por un fase de gran 
incertidumbre política. El crecimiento anual del PIB cayó del 3% en 2013 al 0,9% en 2014, y fue 
negativo en 2015 y 2016. La recesión, una da las más pronunciadas en la historia del Brasil fue 
acompañada por un mercado aumento de la inflación (8,7% en 2016) y del desempleo (11,3% en 
2016), así como por problemas de disciplina fiscal.  
4.227.   Consideramos acertadas las intervenciones hechas por las autoridades en la política 
monetaria a fin de contener la inflación, lo cual le ha permitido al Banco Central de Brasil ir 
reduciendo progresivamente su tipo de interés oficial desde su nivel máximo del 14,15%. Esto 
combinado con el fortalecimiento que ha venido mostrando el real bras ileño al mejorar las 
expectativas de los inversores, deberá influir positivamente a reactivar el crecimiento económico.  
4.228.   Se debe poner atención por otro lado a la política fiscal, ya que el saldo primario del 
presupuesto federal déficits crecientes entre 20 14 y 2016, interrumpiendo una serie de 10 años 
consecutivos de superávits. También se invirtieron las trayectorias descendentes de las deudas 
neta y bruta del sector público, que aumentaron del 51,5% al 69,6% del PIB y del 30,5 al 46,2% 
del PIB entre 2013 y 2016, respectivamente.  
4.229.   Felicitamos, sin embargo, al Gobierno de Brasil porque a pesar de esta severa recesión, 
durante el período objeto de examen, se llevaron a cabo varias reformas en el área comercial 
encaminadas a afianzar el crecimiento en varias es feras, como la facilitación del comercio, las 
medidas antidumping, la concesión de incentivos a la producción y el comercio (por ejemplo, las 
ayudas a las pymes), las empresas estatales, la energía, las manufacturas o la infraestructura de 
transporte, y en  hace unos días se aprobó una nueva ley laboral que le introduce flexibilidad al 
mercado laboral y se está examinando. La posibilidad de poner en marcha otras, incluyendo la 
reforma fiscal. Pero lo más importante de todo es simplificar y automatizar los pr ocesos, 
eliminando las trabas administrativas, que merman las iniciativas de inversiones de las grandes, 
medianas y pequeñas empresas, y que estimulan el mantenimiento de un creciente mercado WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  informal, perjudicando la creación de empleo permanente y la cap tación de recursos fiscales. Es 
también urgente la necesidad de realizar fuertes inversiones en la infraestructura de sus puertos y 
carreteras, lo que representaría un importante aumento en sus niveles de inversión privada y de 
productividad agrícola e ind ustrial.  
4.230.   En el sector extorno exhortamos al Brasil a impulsar la concertación de acuerdos 
económicos regionales, concluyendo por ejemplo el de la Unión Europea y participando en la 
Alianza Pacifico, con el fin de diversificar y expandir sus mercados hacien do su economía menos 
vulnerable a choques en el mercado de bienes externos o a cambios bruscos en los mercados 
cambiarios. Su participación en el BRICS y las importantes iniciativas de cooperación sur tomadas 
por este grupo de países, puede también ayudare  mucho con el objetivo de la diversificación y en 
el de su fortalecimiento en los mercados de capitales externos.  
4.231.   El Arancel sigue siendo de los principales instrumentos de la política comercial del Brasil y 
una fuente sustancial, aunque decreciente, de in gresos fiscales (3,6% del total en 2016). El Brasil 
aplica el Arancel Externo Común (AEC) del MERCOSUR, con algunas excepciones para países 
específicos y valoramos como muy positivo que durante el periodo objeto de examen, el Brasil 
elimino progresivamente  los tipos superiores a los del AEC que había introducido en 2012 para 
100 líneas arancelarias con arreglo a un mecanismo temporal del MERCOSUR.  
4.232.   En el área de facilitación del comercio, el Brasil, además de ratificar el Acuerdo sobre 
Facilitación del comer cio (AFC) de la OMC, adopto medidas encaminadas a moderniza sus 
programas de ventanilla única y de operadores económicos autorizados.  
4.233.   En el área de medidas comerciales correctivas, felicitamos a Brasil por las mejoras hechas 
en la normativa, sin embargo ve mos con preocupación que Brasil hace un uso importante de estas 
medidas, en particular de medidas antidumping. Durante el periodo objeto de examen, se iniciaron 
123 investigaciones antidumping; el 31 de diciembre de 2016 había 163 medidas antidumping en 
vigor, por los que les invitamos a ejercer la debida moderación en esta área.  
4.234.   Los servicios continúan siendo el sector más contribuye al valor añadido bruto del Brasil 
(73,3% en 2016) y a la creación de empleo. En este sentido, felicitamos a Brasil porque du rante el 
periodo objeto de examen, el Brasil mejoro sus compromisos en el marco del Acuerdo General de 
Comercio de Servicios de la OMC, y tres de sus acuerdos comerciales regionales (ACR) contienen 
ahora compromisos en materia de servicios que van más allá  de los contraídos en el marco de la 
OMC.  
4.235.   Finalmente, el informe de la Secretaría prevé que la economía brasileña iniciara un proceso 
de recuperación gradual en 2017, pero que su crecimiento será débil durante un periodo 
prolongado. Se indica que la prospe ridad y el crecimiento sostenible futuros dependen de que se 
lleven a cabo reformas estructurales que potencien la productividad en varias esfera, incluida una 
reforma del régimen fiscal y de incentivos, excesivamente complejo, y una reducción de la 
limita ciones reglamentarias que pesan sobre las empresas, la corrección de las relacionados con 
las pensiones y el mercado de trabajo. Deseamos a Brasil, éxito en este camino y les agradecemos 
las respuestas presentadas a las preguntas enviadas por la República Dominicana.  
RUSSIAN  FEDERATION  
4.236.   Russia joins others in welcoming the 7th Trade Policy Review of Brazil. Today's meeting 
provides a valuable opportunity to have an open and frank discussion on a broad range of current 
trends in Brazil's economy.  
4.237.   Russia sha res an overall assessment of the status of the Brazilian economy and trade, as 
well as challenges faced by the Brazilian authorities. We commend the efforts by the Government 
of Brazil to get the economy back on a positive track. According to the IMF, a po sitive growth, 
although modest, is projected this year. We also expect the country to continue to prioritize 
cooperation within the framework of the multilateral trading system, and commend Brazil on 
ratifying WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement in March 20 16.  
4.238.   Russia and Brazil have a long history of friendly relations, which has always been featured 
by broad, deep and robust bilateral cooperation across vast economic, trade and investment areas. WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  Together we work successfully and fruitfully in different int ernational fora, including G20 and 
BRICS.  
4.239.   Economic relations between Russia and Brazil are steadily expanding. Bilateral trade 
volume reached US$4.3 billion last year, and has further grown by almost 40% from January to 
May 2017. Russia is an important de stination for Brazil's agricultural products, which account for 
90% of its exports to our country. On the other hand, Russia exports to Brazil fertilizers, chemicals 
and metals, as wells as machinery. Russian oil, gas and nuclear energy companies are 
participating in several large -scale projects in Brazil. Our investments to this country are estimated 
at US$1.5 billion. Nevertheless, we see a great untapped potential for further enhancing the 
bilateral trade in goods and services and increasing investment f lows.  
4.240.   The official visit of the President of Brazil Michel Temer to Moscow last month highlighted a 
steady development of our bilateral relations. Our leaders confirmed their mutual desire to boost 
economic and trade ties and strengthen cooperation in int ernational fora.  
4.241.   We are working on improvement of the legal basis for our economic and trade relations. 
Three documents on customs issues will be signed in the near future. The Intergovernmental 
commission on economic cooperation is highly instrumental in  addressing various bilateral 
concerns. The last meeting of the Commission took place as recently as in May this year, and we 
expect to continue fruitful discussions in this format.    
4.242.   We have submitted a number of advance written questions to Brazil and a re now carefully 
studying the provided answers. For the moment we have no further questions and are ready, if 
necessary, to continue discussions in the context of regular bodies of the WTO. We wish Brazil a 
successful Trade Policy Review.  
PARAGUAY  
4.243.   Tanto el  informe del Gobierno como el de la Secretaría nos muestran que durante el 
periodo en estudio la economía brasileña ha atravesado uno de los momentos más complicados de 
su historia moderna con años consecutivos de decrecimiento económico, disminución de la  
producción industrial, niveles altos de inflación y aumento del desempleo.  
4.244.   Los factores externos e internos que afectaron a la economía brasileña, como la caída de 
los precios internacionales de los alimentos, la disminución del consumo doméstico, las 
restricciones a las importaciones y las distorsiones en los precios administrados también tuvieron 
repercusiones a nivel regional, considerando principalmente que el Brasil representa el 80% del 
PIB de la región.  
4.245.   No obstante, en este último periodo, el Gobie rno brasileño ha empezado a aplicar un 
programa de reformas que apuntan a la recuperación de la economía, a través de una mayor 
apertura comercial, fomentando la innovación e inclusión, y manteniendo, por sobre todo, los 
exitosos planes de lucha contra la pobreza, como es "la bolsa de familia".  
4.246.   En ese sentido, es importante resaltar que las políticas de distribución del ingreso han 
generado en el Brasil considerables beneficios para la población de ingresos bajos, el promedio de 
ingreso per cápita del décim o percentil aumentó en 258% en la última década, e igualmente se 
registró un considerable progreso social en las zonas rurales.  
4.247.   Como hemos visto en los informes, el comercio internacional ha sufrido una importante 
disminución en los últimos años, tanto en valores absolutos como en proporción del PIB, e 
igualmente ha disminuido la participación del Brasil en el comercio mundial, del 1,33% en el 2013 
al 1,21% a fines del 2015. No obstante, y a pesar de este sombrío panorama, vale destacar el 
aumento del númer o de empresas brasileñas que actualmente exportan, y especialmente el alto 
porcentaje de participación de las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas. Esta es una muestra de 
la firme determinación del gobierno brasileño hacia la diversificación y desconcentrac ión de la 
economía.  
4.248.   En general, durante el periodo en estudio, la política comercial no ha sufrido grandes 
modificaciones; se ha apuntalado el objetivo de incrementar la participación de las empresas WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  brasileñas en las cadenas de valor globales, y el aument o de la competitividad de los productos 
nacionales, a través del fomento al desarrollo tecnológico, la innovación, la transferencia de 
tecnología, y en ocasiones, con mecanismos de protección contra la competencia externa.  
4.249.   El Brasil es un usuario important e de medidas comerciales correctivas, y en especial las 
medidas antidumping, que suman más de 160 en vigor. Igualmente aplican licencias no 
automáticas de importación a más de la mitad de las líneas arancelarias. Todo esto se suma a un 
sistema tributario e xcesivamente complejo, especialmente cuando se trata de productos 
importados. Hemos visto que estos temas generan preocupación en varios miembros, pues se han 
realizado numerosas consultas al respecto.  
4.250.   Igualmente, queremos destacar que el Brasil es uno de los Miembros más activos en las 
negociaciones en la OMC, aboga por avanzar en las discusiones para una reforma del comercio 
agrícola, y principalmente para obtener resultados tangibles en ese sentido en la próxima 
Conferencia Ministerial de Buenos Aires. D urante el periodo en estudio, desempeñó un rol clave en 
las negociaciones para el Acuerdo de Facilitación de Comercio y la Decisión Ministerial sobre 
Competencia de las Exportaciones.  
4.251.   Por otra parte, cabe destacar que desde el año 2007 el Brasil participa como socio 
estratégico de la OCDE. Esta cooperación se verá fortalecida con el reciente pedido de adhesión 
del país a formar parte de la Organización, solicitud que se inserta en el marco de los esfuerzos del 
gobierno brasileño para consolidar el desarroll o sostenible e inclusivo, con la modernización de la 
gestión y aprovechamiento de la amplia experiencia en políticas públicas comparadas de la 
organización.  
4.252.   Esta y otras acciones estratégicas en el marco de la lucha contra la corrupción proyectan 
una seña l positiva hacia el camino correcto; medidas que en la coyuntura política actual permitirán 
reformas claves en políticas públicas en materia de transparencia, anticorrupción, reformas 
tributarias y de apoyo a las IED, y que en el caso de ser implementadas en el marco de los más 
altos estándares internacionales, ayudarán a reconstruir la confianza y crear un ambiente 
económico favorable para las inversiones y el crecimiento económico inclusivo.  
4.253.   Las relaciones con Brasil son, sin lugar a duda, una de las más importantes que tiene el 
Paraguay; es nuestro vecino más grande, nuestro principal socio comercial, uno de los mayores 
inversores en el país, y con quien tenemos una amplia agenda conjunta, que incluyen 
emprendimientos binacionales, programas de cooperació n e intercambio cultural.  
4.254.   Junto con Argentina, Brasil y Uruguay, hemos iniciado en el año 1991, uno de los 
proyectos más ambiciosos de integración sudamericana, el MERCOSUR, que ha tenido sus altas y 
bajas, pero que hoy continua su proceso de consolidación  de la Unión Aduanera, y se proyecta 
como un bloque sólido y abierto al mundo, siendo en la actualidad el mayor exportador de 
alimentos.  
4.255.   El MERCOSUR se convirtió en la columna vertebral de la política comercial de nuestros 
países, y la plataforma para la n egociación de acuerdos comerciales extra -regionales; actualmente 
representa el principal destino para los productos manufacturados de los países miembros, un 
nivel creciente de integración productiva, siendo Brasil el principal mercado.   
4.256.   Como lo he mencio nado recientemente, Brasil es el socio comercial más importante del 
Paraguay, con un comercio bilateral que supera los 5.000 millones de dólares EE.UU., siendo el 
principal producto de exportación la energía hidro -eléctrica, seguido por cereales, carne vac una, 
soja, plásticos y sus manufacturas, confecciones y prendas de vestir, entre otros; mientras que los 
principales productos importados por Paraguay desde Brasil son los automóviles y las maquinarias, 
productos diversos de la industria química, combustib les, calzados, entre otros.  
4.257.   Creemos que el comercio bilateral aún se encuentra muy por debajo de su potencial, pero 
confiamos en que nuestros gobiernos y empresarios encontrarán la manera de fortalecerlo.  
4.258.   Otro aspecto importante a destacar es que el Brasi l es el segundo inversor más importante 
en el Paraguay en términos de saldos de IED, y el primero en los últimos años con respecto a los 
flujos de IED; estas inversiones estuvieron orientadas al sector agrícola, los servicios, las finanzas WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  y principalmente  a aprovechar las ventajas comparativas que ofrece el Paraguay, y su posibilidad 
de acceder al mercado ampliado del MERCOSUR.  
4.259.   No quisiera concluir sin dejar de referirme al mayor emprendimiento conjunto que tenemos 
Paraguay y Brasil y que es la hidroeléctr ica de Itaipu, que es líder mundial en la producción de 
energía limpia y renovable. Suministra alrededor del 17% de la energía consumida en Brasil y el 
76% de la utilizada en Paraguay. En 2016, Itaipu produjo más de 103 millones de Megavatios -
hora, un nuev o récord mundial en generación anual de este tipo de energía.  
4.260.   Finalmente, quisiera resaltar que Paraguay y Brasil comparten la misma visión sobre el 
sistema multilateral del comercio, para lo cual debemos fortalecer el pilar negociador de la OMC, y 
contin uar diseñando reglas globales vinculantes, claras y no discriminatorias. Igualmente, 
consideramos que el Programa de Doha para el Desarrollo debe ser el principal marco de 
referencia para las discusiones, pero también estamos abiertos a tratar nuevos temas  dentro de la 
Organización, especialmente los que contengan un componente de inclusividad, y que además 
estén orientados a reducir las brechas entre los Miembros.  
4.261.   Reitero mis felicitaciones a quienes tienen a su cargo la conducción de este Examen y a los 
delegados de la Misión Permanente de Brasil en Ginebra por su siempre activa participación en los 
diferentes temas que tratamos en esta casa.  
THAILAND  
4.262.   Brazil has always been Thailand's largest trading partner in South America. In 2016 
bilateral trade betwee n Thailand and Brazil was valued at US$3.7 billion. Brazil was largest export 
destination and import source in South America with total exports valued at US$1.5 billion, with 
machineries, automobiles, electrical machineries, rubber, and plastics being the key products. 
Import wise, Thailand imported from Brazil to the value of US$2.2 billion with soy beans, soy bean 
cakes, machineries, iron and steel, and leather the main imports.  
4.263.   We note that Brazil's economy experienced severe recessions in the past two y ears 
accompanied by high inflation and unemployment and would like to commend Brazil for 
maintaining a generally open trade and investment regime despite the difficult economic 
challenges.  
4.264.   We also commends Brazil's efforts to improve its customs procedures  through the 
upgrading of its single window and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme in 
addition to the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement  
4.265.   We note the high number of non -automatic licensing requirements cited in the secretariat 
report which may apply to 5,460 tariff lines or more than half of Brazil's entire tariff. This can 
disrupt or slow -down trade and in this regard, we hope that, as pointed out by the Brazilian 
authorities, the fully implementation of the Single Window Program me in 2018 will bring about a 
significant reduction in the number of non -automatic licensing requirements.  
4.266.   Brazil has always been a valuable contributor to the WTO, during the review period Brazil 
has ratified the TFA, deposited its instrument of acceptanc e of the Fifth Protocol on Financial 
Services, and granted preferential treatment to services and service suppliers from LDCs. Brazil, 
through Ambassador Evandro Didonet has also played important and constructive role in driving 
various negotiations forwar d. 
4.267.   In this review, Thailand submitted a number of questions to Brazil, covering the issues of 
our interests such as trade in services and investment policies, customs valuation, import 
licensing, and agricultural support programmes. We appreciate the promp t replies provided to our 
questions, for which we will study carefully with great interest.  
4.268.   In conclusion, Thailand would like to express its appreciation to the Brazilian delegation for 
today's presentation. We are thankful for the cooperation with Brazil  at every level and wish Brazil 
every success in its seventh Trade Policy Review  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  ECUADOR  
4.269.   Mi delegación participa con gran interés de este Examen de Políticas Comerciales por la 
relevancia que tiene para Ecuador las relaciones bilaterales que mantiene con Brasil.  
4.270.   Durante el período objeto de examen y tal como ha sido descrito ampliamente en el 
informe de la Secretaría, la economía de Brasil tuvo una clara desaceleración. El deterioro de la 
relación de intercambio y la incertidumbre política afectaron negat ivamente el crecimiento anual 
de su PIB. Así, tomamos nota de que éste cayó del 3% que registró en 2013 al 0,9% en 2014 y 
fue negativo en 2015 y 2016. A fin de revertir esta situación, el Gobierno de Brasil ha 
implementado varias medidas, entre las cuales se resaltan: las reformas fiscales, las 
intervenciones equilibradas en la política monetaria y control del gasto público. Confiamos que 
dichas medidas y acciones cumplan de manera efectiva sus objetivos. Estamos seguros además, 
de que este ejercicio de tra nsparencia ofrecerá a Brasil elementos útiles que aporten a tales 
objetivos.  
4.271.   El comercio exterior desempeña un rol fundamental en la economía de Brasil y éste a su 
vez, es de suma relevancia para la región y el mundo. En tal sentido, subrayamos las corrie ntes 
comerciales bilaterales de bienes y servicios que mantiene a nivel global y que durante el período 
objeto de examen representaron alrededor del 25% de su PIB.  
4.272.   En lo concerniente a las políticas y prácticas comerciales, merece destacarse la 
consolidaci ón de la totalidad de sus líneas arancelarias y la reducción de sus aranceles aplicados. 
Por otra parte, la utilización de contingentes arancelarios y otras medidas no arancelarias como 
licencias no automáticas, reglamentos técnicos, medidas sanitarias y f itosanitarias, pueden 
restringir el acceso efectivo al mercado brasileño.  
4.273.   En cuanto al intercambio comercial entre Brasil y Ecuador, es de señalar que persiste una 
relación desbalanceada. Según cifras del Instituto de Promoción de Exportaciones e Inversion es, 
PRO ECUADOR, en el 2016 las exportaciones de Ecuador registraron un total de 144 millones de 
dólares EE.UU. mientras que las importaciones superaron los 641 millones de dólares EE.UU. 
Destacamos que durante ese año las exportaciones de productos no pet roleros a Brasil 
aumentaron en un 22,31%, lo cual, si bien se trata de una cifra que podría sonar alentadora, es 
pertinente señalar que, debido a la imposición de medidas fitosanitarias, dos de nuestros 
principales productos de exportación no petroleros, e sto es el banano y el camarón, no tienen 
acceso al mercado brasileño por aproximadamente dos décadas.  
4.274.   Este asunto ha sido objeto de consultas y gestiones entre las autoridades de ambos países 
a diferentes niveles, incluyendo la suscripción de un memorando  de entendimiento en materia 
comercial en el 2011 y un Acta de Acuerdos y Compromiso en el 2013. Adicionalmente, Ecuador 
ha presentado en reiteradas ocasiones un Plan de Trabajo para la exportación de banano a Brasil.  
4.275.   Como ha sido indicado en su informe, B rasil cuenta con más de 30 acuerdos bilaterales 
sobre cuestiones sanitarias y fitosanitarias con arreglo a los principios del Acuerdo MSF con el 
objetivo de identificar normas comunes, simplificar los controles a la importación, armonizar las 
prescripcione s en materia de certificación y facilitar el comercio bilateral y el ingreso de 
determinados productos. Sea esta la oportunidad para insistir una vez más en la inmediata 
implementación de los acuerdos fitosanitarios establecidos entre los dos países.  
4.276.   Antes  de concluir, quisiéramos anticipar nuestro agradecimiento a la delegación de Brasil 
por sus respuestas a las preguntas que hemos planteado sobre algunos aspectos concretos de su 
política comercial y le deseamos muchos éxitos en su examen.  
INDONESIA  
4.277.   During  the severe recession experienced by Brazil, we highly appreciate that Brail remains 
put in its hard work, to conduct this seventh Trade Policy Review.  
4.278.   Brazil is far away in geographical distance from Indonesia. I recall that our government 
officials woul d think twice to fly to South America, due to the very lengthy duration of flight. Yet, 
we cannot deny that Brazil is close to the heart of Indonesians. Of course, the average WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  Indonesians, especially for young generation, associates Brazil with the strong soccer team, the 
samba festival, and havaianas sandals. But, there is more to what meets the eyes.  
4.279.   Brazil has always been among Indonesia's important trading partners in the Latin American 
region. Brazil is Indonesia's largest trading partner in South Amer ica and the Caribbean. 
Meanwhile, Indonesia is Brazil's the second largest trading partner in South East Asia.  
4.280.   The total trade between Indonesia and Brazil has been experiencing a decrease in value, 
from US$4.05 billion in 2014 to US$3.5 billion in 2016. I n 2016, Brazil enjoyed a surplus of 
US$1.30 billion from trading with Indonesia.  
4.281.   We are pleased to note the growing projects of investment from Brazil companies in 
Indonesia as well as cooperation with our business people. According to our data, in 2016 B razil 
investment in Indonesia has reached and encouraging sum of US$42.6 million, in total of 
20 projects, compared of the investment in 2015 which is value of US$13.6 million, in total of 
5 projects. And, looking forward to the near future, we hope that I ndonesia and Brazil could 
promote the bilateral trade cooperation, as well as to address any trade and trade -related issues 
between our two countries.  
4.282.   The Secretariat report shows that Brazil is one of the frequent users of trade remedy. It 
stated that Bra zil's institutional framework on trade remedies remained unchanged during the 
period under review. It also stated that the incidence of Brazilian trade remedies, predominantly 
AD measures, nearly doubled during the period under review. The report also demo nstrates a 
continued rise in the share of Brazil's total merchandise imports affected by its trade remedy 
measures between January 2013 and January 2017: from 0.76% in 2013; 0.79% in 2014; 0.93% 
in 2015; and 1.06% in 2016. We are of concern about this issu e and we hope that the 
Government of Brazil will work closely with Members to solve this issue.  
4.283.   In addition to this TPR process, Indonesia encourages Brazil to enhance transparency and 
simplification of procedures in trade remedy investigations, including the use of positive and 
probative evidence in compliance with WTO provisions.  
4.284.   Indonesia commends Brazil for improving on its GATS commitment, which resulted in the 
three of Brazil's RTAs now containing WTO -plus services commitments. Indonesia hopes, throug h 
this seventh Trade Policy Review, that Brazil is encouraged to pursue progressive policies to 
address the longstanding structural problems affecting its competitiveness, such as the high and 
complex tax regime, and problems on infrastructure and the lack  of access to credit.  
4.285.   Indonesia would like to address several concerns on trade policies and measures applied 
by Brazil during its review period. These concerns are domestic support, in the form of tax or 
non-tax incentives, tax regime, the extension of Pl ano Brazil Maior Programme, foreign investment 
regime, and some sectoral issues.  
4.286.   In this regard, we have submitted a number of written questions related to our concerns 
on Brazil's trade and trade related policies and practices. We look forward to a respon se from 
Brazil.  
4.287.   Moreover, Indonesia believes that this TPR is a good moment to examine the measures 
adopted by Brazil, and also to learn about their impact to the Brazilian economy, as well as to the 
economy of other WTO Members.  
4.288.   Together with other develo ping countries including Indonesia, Brazil remains as a crucial 
player in WTO negotiation – especially in concluding the DDA negotiations. Indonesia looks forward 
to work closely with Brazil and with other Members to deliver a successful MC11 this upcoming  
December in Buenos Aires.  
4.289.   Finally, to finish our remarks, once again, we would like to express our appreciation to the 
delegation of Brazil for their hard work. Indonesia looks forward to a follow -up communications 
with the Brazilian delegation, including  through Ambassador Evandro Didonet and his 
Geneva -based team. Indonesia wishes Brazil a successful Trade Policy Review.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  TURKEY  
4.290.   Brazil is a critical actor for and a trustworthy partner within the multilateral trading 
system. We commend the contributions of  Brazil and especially the Brazilian team in Geneva both 
for the well -functioning of the WTO and the furthering of the multilateral trade negotiations. In this 
respect, Brazil played a very constructive role in achieving a concrete outcome in Nairobi.  
4.291.   Brazil, one of the 10th biggest economies in the world suffered the greatest recession in its 
history in 2015 and 2016 with a combined 7.4% contraction of GDP. We observe that during the 
review period, the trade volume of Brazil contracted by 30%.  
4.292.   Brazil fac es some structural problems and challenges, especially in terms of integration to 
world markets and global value chains, as well as in terms of transforming from a commodity 
dependant to a value -added economy.  
4.293.   Brazil is one of the rare Members with higher  average tariffs in manufacturing products 
compared to agricultural products. The average MFN applied tariff for manufacturing products at 
11.8%, remains high and this is also true for the inputs for many industries. This high level of 
tariffs for manufact ured products is an impediment for Brazil's integration to global value chains.  
4.294.   We are confident that Government will take the necessary measures that will transform 
Brazil into a high value added economy reflecting its existing potential. In this vein, m ore 
openness to international trade will pave the way for boosting the Brazilian economy.  
4.295.   There is ample room for improvement with respect to the simplification of regulatory and 
tax systems for increasing the competitiveness of Brazil. We welcome the ini tiatives taken by the 
Brazilian Government in this regard. We are pleased that reforms and policy adjustments will 
deliver growth for the term 2018 -2021.  
4.296.   Relations between Turkey and Brazil have been elevated to a strategic level in 2010 by 
means of the s igning of the Action Plan for Strategic Partnership.  
4.297.   Brazil is Turkey's largest trade partner in South America and our second largest trade 
partner in the Western Hemisphere, after the US.  
4.298.   We appreciate our cooperation within the G20.  
4.299.   However, economic relations between our countries have slowed down in recent years, due 
to some global problems and domestic challenges that both countries had to face.  
4.300.   Our bilateral trade volume was US$2.1 billion in 2016. This is far from representing the 
existing potenti al.  
4.301.   We believe that the conclusion of a FTA between Turkey and MERCOSUR will be beneficial 
for both sides during a period when bilateral and regional initiatives have gained importance. We 
would appreciate the support of Brazil in this regard.  
4.302.   With respe ct to the trade policy regimes of Brazil, Turkey submitted a number of written 
questions in advance, seeking further clarification on mainly measures directly affecting exports 
and imports. We look forward to receiving responses in due course. We wish Braz il a successful 
review.  
MALAYSIA  
4.303.   Since the last review in 2013, Brazil has weathered a challenging economic cycle. Although 
Brazil's domestic demand -driven economy slowed down and entered a severe recession in 
2015-2016, Malaysia commends the efforts under taken by Brazil on her structural reforms and 
fiscal consolidation.  
4.304.   We note that Brazil reform initiatives were undertaken in several areas, including in trade 
facilitation, anti -dumping, production and trade incentives, state -owned enterprises, energy, WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  manufacturing, transport infrastructure, and more are under consideration. As in the Secretariat 
report, these efforts have led to the recovery of the Brazilian economy.  
4.305.   Multilaterally, we appreciate Brazil's role as an active member of the WTO. Brazil's 
commitment to the WTO is demonstrated by her ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement 
(TFA), amendments to the TRIPS Agreement as well as depositing its instrument of acceptance of 
the Fifth Protocol of Financial Services in 2016.  
4.306.   Brazil is also open to efforts in exploring emerging issues that reflect today's business 
realities such as e -commerce and MSMEs among others.  
4.307.   Brazil, as a large influential developing member, could however do better in providing the 
needed leadership together with other key Members of the WTO in advancing the remaining Doha 
issues and thus ensure a successful MC11.  
4.308.   In its continued commitments to the WTO, we encourage Brazil to continue its market 
opening and implement more flexible policies conducive to growth.  
4.309.   One specific  issue that we would like to raise is on Brazil's SPS complex administrative 
measures that have long impacted exports of agricultural produce to Brazil. And we hope that this 
would be improved given the current reforms being undertaken on Brazil's SPS inst itutional 
framework.  
4.310.   Malaysia and Brazil bilateral trade relationship continues to grow since the establishment 
of the Malaysia Brazil Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETC) in 1996. Noting the importance of 
bilateral investment, Malaysia is currently revi ewing the proposal submitted by Brazil last year on 
the Agreement on Cooperation and Facilitation of Investment (ACFI).  
4.311.   In addition, noting the growing importance of the Halal market in the region, a Brazilian 
company based in Malaysia, has signed a Memora ndum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysia 
Halal Development Corporation (HDC) in September 2016. The MoU provides for collaboration in 
various areas including training guided by the relevant Malaysian Halal Standards, general 
framework to facilitate gr owth and development of vendor development programme as well 
sharing of best practices to enable targeted SMEs to penetrate the global market.  
4.312.   Brazil is Malaysia's 38th largest trading partner in the world and the largest from the Latin 
American for 2016, while Malaysia was Brazil's 3rd largest export destination and import source 
among ASEAN. Trade between Malaysia and Brazil was valued at US$2.7 billion with exports at 
US$700 million and imports from Brazil at US$2.0 billion in 2016 by Malaysia. Trade bal ance has 
been in Brazil's favour with the overall trade increased by 15.4% from 2015.  
4.313.   Major imports into Malaysia are iron ores and agricultural products from Brazil, while 
Malaysia's main exports to Brazil consist of electrical and electronic products as well as rubber 
products.  
4.314.   To conclude, we thank Brazil's response to our questions which have been submitted 
earlier.  
4.315.   We too take this opportunity to commend the active engagement and participation of 
Ambassador Evandro Didonet, and the delegation of Brazi l. We wish Brazil a fruitful and successful 
7th Trade Policy Review.  
COSTA  RICA 
4.316.   Este sétimo examen de políticas comerciales de Brasil sirve de recordatorio de lo que es 
Brasil para los brasileños y lo que debería ser para el mundo. La grandeza de su país n o es sólo 
territorial, de ahí la importancia que tiene para esta Casa revisar de cerca la condición económica 
y comercial del país para su gente y para sus socios comerciales.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.317.   Los obstáculos a nivel fiscal y político que Brasil ha tenido que enfrentar en los años que 
abarca este examen han puesto a prueba su resiliencia. Sus hallazgos Examen son manifestación 
de esa resistencia que ha caracterizado al pueblo brasileño a lo largo de su historia.  
4.318.   Hablar de Brasil es sinónimo de magnitud: es un país enormemen te rico en cultura, etnias, 
lenguas y recursos naturales. Es la mayor economía de América Latina y el quinto país más grande 
y más poblado del mundo. El río más extenso y caudaloso del planeta está en Brasil, y sus fértiles 
tierras han visto nacer a person alidades del deporte y las artes de la talla de Pelé, Caetano Veloso, 
Jorge Amado y Ayrton Senna, por citar sólo unas pocas.  
4.319.   Si midiéramos en términos económicos su riqueza natural renovable de agua, bosque y 
fertilidad de la tierra, es probable que descub ramos que Brasil sea el país más rico del mundo en 
capital natural. Con una de las cuencas hidrográficas más grandes del mundo, la mayor reserva de 
agua dulce y el mayor potencial hídrico del planeta, Brasil está al frente de las disyuntivas que 
enfrenta e l resto de la humanidad ante el cambio climático y la necesidad de encontrar balance en 
la elaboración de políticas de desarrollo sostenibles. Este es un reto que Costa Rica comparte 
enfocado en la producción de energías limpias y la conservación y desarro llo de sus recursos 
naturales de la manera más regenerativa posible de los ecosistemas que son fuente de vida para 
todas las especies del planeta. Al igual que Brasil, sentimos y entendemos las pruebas y desafíos 
que enfrentan las naciones agrícolas con el  calentamiento global.  
4.320.   En esa misma línea, Costa Rica valora positivamente los planes de Brasil de aumentar la 
proporción de energía que representan las fuentes renovables en las matrices de generación de 
energía y electricidad, reflejados en el Plan Decen al de Expansión Energética 2024. Sería 
interesante conocer si dentro de las políticas previstas por Brasil en dicho Plan se encuentran 
medidas para reformar los subsidios a los combustibles fósiles y si es así, en qué consistirían 
dichas medidas. Re -direcc ionar recursos destinados a subsidiar combustibles fósiles hacia la 
producción de energías renovables podría ser una medida efectiva para cumplir con los objetivos 
previstos en dicho Plan, y también con las Metas de Desarrollo Sostenible de las Naciones Un idas. 
4.321.   Brasil y Costa Rica gozamos de una relación histórica fraterna. En esta Casa somos 
miembros del Grupo Cairns, donde compartimos nuestro objetivo por alcanzar una reforma 
agrícola a nivel multilateral, con reglas claras y transparentes y no discrimina torias tomando en 
cuenta los desafíos ambientales que enfrenta la agricultura. Somos miembros comprometidos con 
el sistema multilateral y como países en desarrollo creemos en su relevancia. Por tal motivo los 
congratulamos por haber ratificado el Acuerdo d e Facilitación de Comercio y por otorgar trato 
preferencial a los servicios y proveedores de servicios de países menos adelantados. Asimismo, 
reconocemos el esfuerzo que han venido realizando de actualizar sus notificaciones pendientes y 
los instamos a no desacelerar este proceso.  
4.322.   La revisión para este Examen se realizó bajo un contexto macroeconómico complejo para 
Brasil. En los últimos años, el país sufrió la desaceleración de su economía y una recesión entre los 
años 2015 y 2016 que provocó un aumento pr ecipitado de la inflación y un incremento en el 
desempleo. Si bien se prevé que a partir de este año empiece la recuperación, se espera que su 
crecimiento se dé en un período prolongado de tiempo. Por ello resulta meritorio destacar el 
compromiso que Brasi l ha asumido con la UNCTAD y la OCDE en crear un marco que fortalezca la 
atracción de inversión extranjera. Sería importante aprovechar este momento para trabajar en la 
eliminación de algunas limitaciones que persisten para este tipo de inversión, que much o 
beneficiaría al gran mercado doméstico brasileño dinamizando su economía.  
4.323.   Felicitamos también los esfuerzos que viene realizando el miembro evaluado en 
transparentar su legislación y en adherirse a mejores prácticas internacionales en materia de 
anticor rupción. Las acciones por mejorar su competitividad han llevado a Brasil a canalizar su 
incorporación en las cadenas globales de valor. Este es un trabajo que aplaudimos, en particular 
por la dimensión de su mercado interno y los beneficios que esto puede traer. También notamos 
que su sistema impositivo es muy complejo y no existe una nomenclatura común para las 
preferencias arancelarias otorgadas bajo acuerdos comerciales regionales, por lo que los instamos 
a replicar las acciones de transparencia en estas  áreas.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.324.   Reconocemos que para Brasil es importante el apoyo doméstico a su producción local. En 
esta línea hacemos un llamado a mantenernos vigilantes de las tendencias proteccionistas a nivel 
mundial, y su necesaria eliminación en el marco del sistema mult ilateral del comercio.  
4.325.   A nivel bilateral, las exportaciones de productos costarricenses a Brasil crecieron 77% de 
2015 a 2016, mientras que la importación de productos brasileños y la presencia de inversión 
brasileña en el mercado costarricense aumentaron  notablemente para el mismo período.  
4.326.   El sector Servicios, que aparte de ser el que más valor agregado y más empleo añade a su 
economía, presenta oportunidades muy importantes en materia de tecnologías digitales, 
telecomunicaciones, comercio electrónico y c onectividad. Costa Rica, como integrante del Grupo de 
Amigos del Comercio Electrónico para el Desarrollo, está interesado en conocer la experiencia de 
un mercado con las características del brasileño de manera más amplia, según lo comprendido en 
el Plan Es tratégico 2015 -2024 para el sector Servicios, para enriquecer la discusión que se lleva a 
cabo de miras a la undécima Conferencia Ministerial.  
4.327.   Presidente, finalizo esta intervención destacando el enorme esfuerzo que han realizado la 
Secretaría y el Gobiern o brasileño en la elaboración de este ejercicio de transparencia. El sistema 
multilateral se nutre y se fortalece con el Examen de Política Comercial y felicitamos a todas las 
partes por el excelente trabajo.  
4.328.   Finalizo con las mismas palabras que el poeta brasileño Gonçalves Dias cierra su Canción 
del Exilio:  
"No permita Dios que muera  
Sin volver para allá  
Sin que disfrute los primores  
Que no encuentro acá  
Sin que vuelva a avistar las palmeras  
Donde canta el zorzal."  
BURUNDI  
4.329.   Ma délégation note que le Brésil  est jusqu'aujourd'hui l'une des plus grandes économies 
mondiales. Cependant, après avoir connu une période de très forte croissance, l'économie 
brésilienne a montré des signes d'essoufflement dès 2011 et est entré en récession depuis 2015, 
une récession q ui a été déclenchée par la dégradation des termes de l'échange puis aggravée par 
la soudaine incertitude politique. Cette récession qui est l'une des plus graves de l'histoire du 
Brésil, s'est accompagnée d'une flambée de l'inflation qui représentait 8,7% en 2016. De même, le 
taux de chômage résultant de cette récession économique de 2015 -2016 est très élevé et est 
passé de 6,5% en décembre 2014 à 11,9% en novembre 2016, et 2,9 millions d'emplois formels 
ont été perdus.  
4.330.   Ma délégation note également que le B résil a été touché par un choc important du côté de 
l'offre résultant de la chute des cours des produits de base avec une incidence sur leurs 
exportateurs causée par l'inversement des termes de l'échange favorables en place depuis dix ans, 
la croissance de s dépenses publiques et privées qui a abouti à des niveaux d'endettement élevés 
ainsi que les distorsions des prix administrés qui ont contribué à accroître l'inflation, ce qui a mené 
à un resserrement de la politique monétaire.  
4.331.   Néanmoins, le Burundi salue  les mesures mises en place par le Gouvernement brésilien 
pour relever son économie et maitriser l'inflation afin d'aboutir à créer des perspectives plus 
stables et positives telles que le montrent les prévisions de 2017 (4,8%) avec une cible de 4,5% 
pour 2018 et même au -delà. 
4.332.   Ma délégation espère que toutes les étapes entreprises par le pays aideront à trouver des 
solutions fiables aux problèmes de son économie, y compris la maitrise du chômage pour assurer 
la vie meilleure de la jeunesse brésilienne. Nous  encourageons le Brésil à consentir plus d'efforts 
pour soutenir les activités des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises, source de création de l'emploi pour 
les jeunes.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.333.   Afin d'être compétitif dans le commerce multilatéral, nous sommes ravis que le Brésil 
contin ue à poursuivre le déploiement des efforts pour mettre en œuvre un vrai programme portant 
sur la productivité; la professionnalisation des entreprises publiques; une autonomie des 
organismes de réglementation; une amélioration de la réglementation du trava il; les cadres 
réglementaires respectant la rationalité économique; l'amélioration des infrastructures de qualité 
ainsi que la focalisation sur la sécurité juridique.  
4.334.   Ma délégation se félicite également que le Brésil a adopté des politiques allant de la 
modernisation de la gestion publique à l'amélioration des conditions de l'activité des entreprises à 
travers une restructuration du système national de la propriété intellectuelle, le programme de 
guichet unique pour faciliter les formalités à la douane ain si que des mesures visant à simplifier les 
procédures internes. Nous encourageons le Brésil à renforcer les mesures prises dans ce sens pour 
moderniser son guichet unique, réduire les formalités administratives et faciliter l'activité des 
entreprises pour les importations et les exportations ainsi que réviser les cadres juridiques qui 
génèrent des frais de transaction inutiles pour le secteur productif.  
4.335.   Le Burundi reste convaincu que tous ces indicateurs économiques additionnels donnent à 
penser que les per spectives d'une reprise économique durable sont bonnes  
4.336.   Le Brésil demeure très attaché au système commercial multilatéral, auquel il participe 
activement. Pendant la période de l'examen considéré, nous constatons que le Brésil se montre 
engagé à lutter con tre les mouvements d'opposition au commerce mondial et les pressions 
protectionnistes. Le Brésil a grandement intérêt à ce que le système commercial multilatéral soit à 
même de créer des conditions d'une expansion non discriminatoire du commerce internatio nal. 
4.337.   Ma délégation l'encourage à doubler d'efforts dans les négociations en cours à l'OMC pour 
obtenir des résultats équilibrés et axés sur le développement tant souhaités par les pays en 
développement et les PMA car mon pays est également d'avis que le Pr ogrammes de Doha pour le 
Développement et ses mandats restent au centre des négociations.  
4.338.   Mon pays se réjouit que le Brésil ait déjà honoré ses engagements à l'OMC en ratifiant 
l'Accord sur la facilitation des échanges (AFE) et sa mise en œuvre et en dépo sant son instrument 
d'acceptation du cinquième Protocole sur les services financiers. Par ailleurs, le Brésil continue 
d'attacher une grande importance au principe de l'OMC selon lequel un traitement spécial et 
différencié soit accordé aux pays en développ ement et aux pays les moins avancés (PMA). Il est à 
noter ici qu'un dispositif efficace de traitement spécial et différencié constitue une étape 
importante vers l'instauration des conditions égales pour tous les Membres de l'OMC.  
4.339.   En matière sociale, nous s aluons la volonté du Gouvernement de poursuivre la mise en 
œuvre des politiques de garantie du revenu, qui visent à lutter contre la pauvreté à court terme et 
à favoriser la réduction des inégalités sociales et l'inclusion sociale des couches les plus 
vulnérables de la population, permettant ainsi l'émancipation économique des bénéficiaires.  
4.340.   Avant de terminer, nous voudrions souligner que le Burundi et le Brésil entretiennent de 
bonnes relations de coopération diplomatiques depuis 1980. Des échanges de visi te des 
délégations au niveau ministériel et technique ont eu lieu et des accords de coopération dans 
différents domaines ont été signés. Ma délégation souhaite que ces relations soient renforcées et 
ainsi aboutir à la mise en application des accords signés  entre les deux pays et procéder à des 
échanges commerciales d'autant plus qu'au Burundi le climat politique et des affaires s'améliorent.  
4.341.   Ma délégation souhaite plein succès au Brésil pour son 7ème examen des politiques 
commerciales.  
PHILIPPINES  
4.342.   Brazil is  one of the largest trading partners of the Philippines in South America. Despite the 
geographical distance that separates our two countries, we have enjoyed good bilateral relations 
strengthened by our common values and historical ties.  
4.343.   The Philippines a nd Brazil share common interests in fighting poverty and social inequality. 
Brazil pursues a trade agenda that is geared towards contributing to its country's sustainable WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  development and to the reduction of poverty and social exclusion. It also seeks trade  policies that 
enhance cooperation, and mutual benefits, and eliminate trade distortions that undermine 
opportunities for developing countries.  
4.344.   The multilateral trading system is a priority in Brazil's foreign trade policy, which reaffirms 
multilateralism as the way to achieve long -lasting and effective solutions to relevant global issues. 
The Philippines recognizes Brazil's active participation in the WTO and its commitment to 
preserving and strengthening the rules -based multilateral trading system for an efficient 
international trade and a well -functioning global economy.  
4.345.   Further, as the Philippines and Brazil are located in two of the most dynamic regions in the 
world, the Philippines recognizes the various opportunities for our two countries to pursue m utually 
beneficial initiatives and activities. A clear indication of the potential for the intensification of our 
ties is our growing bilateral trade.  
4.346.   The Philippines notes Brazil's recognition of the important role of Micro, Small and Medium 
Enterprises (MSMEs) in achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development, and looks forward 
to engaging with Brazil in the informal dialogue on enhancing the participation of MSMEs in 
international trade.  
4.347.   In closing, the Philippines would like to congratulate Min istry of Foreign Affairs Director 
Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, Ambassador Evandro Didonet and the entire Brazilian delegation for 
its 7th Trade Policy Review. Our appreciation also goes to Ambassador Gennady Ovechko of the 
Russian Federation for his insi ghtful comments as discussant and to the Secretariat for preparing a 
comprehensive report.  
REPUBLIC  OF MOLDOVA  
4.348.   The Republic of Moldova appreciates Brazil's constructive role in the WTO and its active 
engagement in numerous initiatives, such as the particip ation of Micro, Small and Medium 
Enterprises in global trade or Investment Facilitation for Development. Indeed, as several of us 
have already mentioned today, the fact that WTO now has a Brazilian Director General is one of 
the proofs of the country's com mitment to the multilateral trading system throughout the 
existence of the WTO principles.  
4.349.   We commend the Brazilian Government for ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement, as 
well as for the steps taken to upgrade the single window and its authorized ec onomic operator 
program.  
4.350.   Since its last TPR in 2013, Brazil has faced numerous challenges, as the economy slowed 
down. According to the economic forecast made by the OECD in June 2017, the economy is finally 
emerging from a severe and protracted recession . We believe this is an opportunity to be seized 
by Brazil to continue the process of deep reforms of its current trade policy. We commend the 
Brazilian Government for the reform initiatives aimed at supporting growth undertaken in areas 
such as trade faci litation, production and trade incentives, SMEs support and others that are 
currently under consideration.  
4.351.   We encourage Brazil's Government to eliminate the main obstacles for the economic 
competition and to open access to imported intermediate inputs whic h will facilitate the integration 
and participation of the national economical suppliers in the Global Value Chains. We welcome the 
recent easing of local content rules. However, trade barriers need to be reduced and eliminated.  
4.352.   On the imports side, by pro tecting the domestic market, import tariffs and local content 
rules reduce the incentives to raise efficiency and invest in innovation to raise quality or product 
differentiation and it also prevents domestic producers from sourcing from the lowest cost or  
better quality input suppliers. On the export side, failing to zero -rate exports increases producer 
prices, setting Brazilian exports at a competitive disadvantage relative to international 
competitors. According to OECD, in 2016, Brazil's GDP value repre sented more than 3% of the 
world economy, but its export market share was around 1.2%, a figure that has remained almost 
unchanged in the past two decades.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.353.   In this context, Brazil has a lot to benefit from liberalizing trade flows. We encourage Brazil 
to adopt domestic policies aimed at raising competitiveness, which will boost growth and open the 
economy. The expansion of investment and production will also have significant employment 
gains. Liberalizing trade flows will particularly help those at the lowe r end of the income 
distribution. We encourage Brazil to focus on the simplification of the current complex regulatory 
system, making laws transparent and readily accessible and trade -related information easily 
available online.  
4.354.   We see as positive the int erest and the involvement of Brazil's Government in the 
developing of the government procurement area. Moldova's delegation appreciates the ongoing 
Brazil's negotiations on a MERCOSUR Public Procurement Protocol, as well as in FTA negotiations 
between MERC OSUR and the EU that also include a chapter on public procurement. In this context, 
we believe that Brazil might obtain concrete benefits from joining the GPA revised Agreement.  
4.355.   Trade relations between the Republic of Moldova and Brazil are currently modes t, mainly 
due to the large geographical distance. Nevertheless, we note the increased interest of Brazil 
towards the Eastern European countries and the Republic of Moldova, being in this region, stands 
ready to further engage with Brazilian partners to str engthen and diversify our trade and economic 
relations, particularly in such important areas as agriculture, wine products, textiles and light 
industry.  
4.356.   We are interested to launch bilateral negotiations with a view to sign a Bilateral Agreement 
on encoura gement and promotion of trade and economic relations between Moldova and Brazil.  
4.357.   According to the existing statistics, in 2016 the volume of imports from Brazil amounted to 
US$3.6 million, whereas the exports amounted to a modest US$20 thousand. Main impor ted 
products included pork meat, soya products, tea and coffee extracts.  
4.358.   Following the recent bilateral contacts, we look forward to the organization of a fact finding 
mission by the Brazilian business people to the Republic of Moldova in 2017 or 2018. We plead for 
the attraction of Brazilian investments in the Moldovan economy, especially by the expansion to 
Moldova by Brazilian businesses present in Ukraine, Romania and the Russian Federation.  
4.359.   We are interested in establishing an exchange of experience in  the field of new 
technologies of production of bio -fuel and alternative resources of energy.  
4.360.   Moldova is interested to further advance the bilateral legal framework, which includes at 
this moment only 3 agreements. We trust that the Brazilian side will com plete, as soon as 
possible, the internal procedures for the entering into force of the important Agreement on short 
visa abolition for ordinary passports. A move which we firmly believe will increase our tourist and 
therefore economic and trade volumes. As  well, the Moldovan side will soon positively reply to the 
Brazilian side on the proposed draft of the Agreement on Investment Facilitation, sent to us last 
year. 
4.361.   I am also pleased to note the Moldovan interest to open its first diplomatic Mission in Latin  
America, a clear priority in this sense being Brazil, which will provide for the full capitalization of 
existing potential of our bilateral ties.  
4.362.   The Republic of Moldova is confident that the 7th exercise of the trade policy review will 
help Brazil assess  the impact of its trade and economic policies on sustainable and robust trade 
growth to the benefit of Brazil itself, as well as of the world economy.  
4.363.   We look forward to continue further strengthening our bilateral relations with Brazil and we 
wish Brazil  the utmost success during this trade policy review cycle.  
KINGDOM  OF SAUDI  ARABIA  
4.364.   As indicated in the Trade Policy Reports prepared by Brazil and the Secretariat, during the 
review period, Brazil went through deep recession triggered by the fall in commod ity prices and an 
inability to make the necessary policy adjustments that contributed to undermining the confidence 
of consumers and investors. According to the OECD 2017 economic analysis and forecast, WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  consumer and business confidence is rising, agricultu ral exports started to increase in the 
beginning of 2017 and inflation has declined substantially giving strong signals of an ongoing 
economic recovery.  
4.365.   These positive indicators are certainly due to the Brazilian government trade -related 
reforms undertak en in several areas, including in trade facilitation, Monetary and fiscal policy, 
production and trade incentives, anti -dumping, energy, manufacturing, transport and 
infrastructure.  
4.366.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia commends Brazil for these ambitious reforms a nd trusts that 
it will lead the government to achieve its objectives to integrate into global value chains, raise the 
competitiveness of domestic products and create jobs.  
4.367.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Brazil are both members of the G20 and actively 
cooperate on the international scene, in economic, trade and diplomatic fora for the promotion of 
development.  
4.368.   On the bilateral trade front, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Brazil enjoy friendly and 
substantive economic and trade relationship. It is worth men tioning that Brazil is the 10th largest 
exporter to Saudi Arabia, and the 8th largest destination of exports from Saudi Arabia. The value 
of two -way trade between the two countries exceeded US$5 billion in 2016.  
4.369.   In 2015, during the visit of the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of 
Agriculture to Saudi Arabia, both countries' government officials confirmed the will to further 
reinforce trade and investment cooperation especially in the field of agriculture, IT, chemicals and 
constructio n.  
4.370.   Brazil has proved its commitment to support the multilateral trading system and the WTO 
and has demonstrated its desire to continue to play an active role in the promotion of free and 
open trade.  
4.371.   In conclusion, I wish the entire delegation of Brazil a very successful Trade Policy Review.  
URUGUAY  
4.372.   En el período considerado para la revisión de la política comercial Brasil entró en una 
fuerte recesión – una de las más fuertes que ha sufrido Brasil en su historia reciente - la más 
profunda desde la década de l 30, con una caída del PIB acumulada de 8% en los años 2015/2016, 
generando un desempleo del 14% aproximadamente 14 millones de personas.  
4.373.   Naturalmente esta recesión estuvo acompañada por una desaceleración de la demanda 
interna y de importaciones lo que a fectó a Uruguay principalmente a través de una disminución de 
las ventas hacia Brasil en varios sectores.  
4.374.   Sin embargo y a pesar de esto se reconoce que Brasil no adoptó políticas o medidas 
restrictivas a pesar de la seria recesión que tuvo y continúa enfre ntando.  
4.375.   Llama la atención la afirmación de la Secretaría de que la economía brasileña está 
orientada al mercado interno. Como se define esta categoría? Suponemos que no es ninguna 
particularidad de Brasil. Sin duda, cuanto más grande es la economía y más g rande su propio 
mercado habrá una mayor tendencia a una orientación interna. Incluso puede contribuir a mitigar 
los impactos externos.  
4.376.   Según la Secretaría los factores que apoyan esta afirmación son las mismas corrientes  
comerciales bilaterales globales d e bienes y servicios. Estas representaron apenas alrededor del 
25% del PIB en el periodo 2012 -2016. Además la proporción de empresas brasileñas que se 
dedican a la exportación es considerablemente reducida indicando escasa integración en las 
cadenas intern acionales de valor.  
4.377.   En el mismo orden de temas, Brasil cuenta con una red relativamente modesta de 
acuerdos comerciales preferenciales. Si se analiza el listado de acuerdos preferenciales se WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  encuentra que la cobertura preferencial del comercio exterior bra silero es bastante baja. La 
mayoría de los acuerdos con preferencias se han suscrito con países con los que el intercambio es 
bajo lo que surge del informe de la Secretaria. El MERCOSUR es el de mayor importancia con una 
cobertura de 10,6% de las exportaci ones totales de Brasil.  
4.378.   Realmente no sé si esto indica que es una orientación al mercado interno pero si indica 
que Brasil puede perder espacio preferencial en importantes mercados frente a otros países que si 
tienen acuerdos de comercio y esto es un probl ema de política comercial y de política de 
negociaciones.  
4.379.   Brasil y China son los principales socios comerciales del Uruguay y Brasil es un socio clave 
porque además tenemos una sociedad natural y un proyecto común con el MERCOSUR. Al mismo 
tiempo Uruguay a spira a tener una posición mucho más alta en el ranking del comercio exterior de 
Brasil tanto de exportaciones como importaciones lo que parece lógico para un socio natural.  
4.380.   Es pertinente señalar la apertura de la economía brasileña a las inversiones extra njeras. 
Sigue siendo uno de los países que llevan más inversiones en la región siendo que en el último 
semestre ha habido un incremento del ingreso de IED relacionado con la adquisición de activos 
brasileños. Ha habido una activa política de promoción y ca mbios normativos en las regulaciones 
permitiendo una mayor participación de inversores extranjeros en áreas anteriormente controladas 
en su totalidad por capital nacional o de propio estado. Ejemplo son las licitaciones en 
infraestructura de aeropuertos y puertos, transporte aéreo y exploración petrolera.  
4.381.   Uruguay como destino de las exportaciones brasileras ocupa el puesto número 15 y como 
origen de las importaciones brasileñas está en la posición 26. En fuerte contraste – aunque 
esperable - para Uruguay Br asil es usualmente el primer y a veces segundo destino de las 
exportaciones y el segundo en importaciones. Es una fuerte asimetría que obviamente está en la 
naturaleza de las cosas pero de cualquier forma entendemos que Uruguay debería tener puesto 
más alt o en el ranking de Brasil.  
4.382.   También es importante la presencia de inversión brasileña en Uruguay casi 180 empresas 
operan en Uruguay y hay un flujo anual variable entre 5 a 2,2 millones anuales en capital 
societario conforme a datos obtenidos por la secreta ría de las autoridades brasileñas.  
4.383.   En general, Uruguay no enfrenta restricciones mayores al mercado brasileño aunque 
siempre hay una escaramuza que incluso me tocó a mí vivir en el caso de algunos productos 
específicos. De cualquier manera, Uruguay mantien e su aspiración de lograr la libre circulación de 
bienes a nivel del MERCOSUR lo antes posible y también apoyar en la logística el fortalecimiento 
de la integración en la región así como mejoras en la competitividad regional.  
4.384.   Un tema pendiente es mejorar l as estadísticas del comercio de servicios, sabemos que este 
comercio tiene una dimensión considerable  y puede enriquecer la visión que tenemos del 
comercio entre ambos países.  
4.385.   Tanto en materia de inversiones como comercio de servicios esperamos que la neg ociación 
de un acuerdo para evitar la doble tributación que está ya muy avanzada le apunta el intercambio 
bilateral.  
4.386.   Brasil es un gran exportador agrícola ocupando posiciones de primera fila en los rankings 
de ventas de productos agrícolas. Las exportacion es de Brasil alcanzaron en el 2012 el 35,6% del 
total de ventas al exterior y se notó un incremento muy considerable en el 2016, año en el que las 
exportaciones agrícolas se expandieron hasta el 41,5% de las exportaciones totales. En 
consecuencia, parece c laro que la liberalización del comercio agrícola internacional es una prioridad 
para la política comercial del Brasil.  
4.387.   Uruguay y los demás países miembros del MERCOSUR comparten el objetivo de continuar 
la reforma del comercio agrícola internacional. Vamos  a apoyar a Brasil para que mantenga su 
posición propositiva y proactiva en las discusiones en agricultura hacia Buenos Aires en diciembre 
próximo de la misma forma que lo hizo con éxito en Nairobi en el 2015.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.388.   Asimismo, Uruguay confía en que Brasil, durant e su próxima presidencia pro tempore del 
MERCOSUR lidere decididamente la agenda de negociaciones externas del MERCOSUR y 
principalmente con la UE, que de lograrse será como desplegar un cable de energía en el actual 
panorama comercial internacional.  
4.389.   Urugu ay agradece el esfuerzo de Brasil y espera que este ejercicio le resulte beneficioso.  
ZIMBABWE  
4.390.   The Brazilian economy has gone through severe recession during the period under review 
and annual GDP growth deteriorated to 3% in 2013, increasing to 9% in 2014  and declined further 
to negative levels in 2015 and 2016, resulting in a rise in unemployment and inflation.  
4.391.   I am pleased to note that in spite of these challenges and the severe economic downturn, 
the country has continued to pursue structural reforms an d fiscal consolidation that has 
contributed to the current economic recovery. Brazil remains attractive to Foreign Direct 
Investment which ranged between 2% and 3% of GDP and fully financed the current account 
deficit during 2015 and 2016. My delegation hi ghly commends Brazil for the quick turnaround of 
their economy.  
4.392.   At Multilateral level, Brazil remains committed to the success of the Multilateral Trading 
System and is an active participant that has contributed significantly to framing the WTO agenda.  
4.393.   Bilaterally, Brazil and Zimbabwe have enjoyed a long history of healthy economic and 
diplomatic relations. Trade between the two countries is governed by a Most Favoured Nation 
Trade Agreement that came into effect in 1990. Zimbabwe and Brazil also signed a T echnical and 
Economic Agreement in 2006 which was recently ratified. This has created a sound platform for 
enhanced cooperation between Zimbabwe and Brazil's respective business communities.  
4.394.   Trade between Zimbabwe and Brazil is however still relatively low  compared to that of 
other countries in the region. Total trade was US$11 million in 2013, increased slightly to 
US$11.7  million in 2014, peaked to US$21 million in 2015 and declined to US$12 million in 2016. 
The trade balance has been in favour of Brazil.  
4.395.   Zimbabwe mainly exports ferrochrome, burley tobacco and some essential oils to Brazil, 
while it mainly imports agricultural machinery and soya bean oil.  
4.396.   Zimbabwe has benefited from Brazil's "More Food International Programme", which is a 
Government to Gov ernment Programme wherein the Brazilian Government has availed financial 
assistance in the form of a loan, on very concessionary terms, to help African countries mechanize 
their agricultural production. The Loan Facility for Zimbabwe is worth US$98 million  and the broad 
goal for the Brazilian Government is to make Africa self -sufficient with regards to food production 
(food security), in the true spirit of South -South cooperation. Under the first tranche of this 
programme, Zimbabwe received agricultural mac hinery and equipment valued at US$38.7 million 
from Brazil. We greatly appreciate this support which we continue to receive from Brazil.  
4.397.   Brazil is an emerging and large economy with bright future prospects. There is vast 
potential for increased trade and f oreign direct investment flows from Brazil into Zimbabwe, 
especially in the agriculture and mining sectors. Potential exports from Zimbabwe include coal, 
platinum, cotton, ferromanganese and fertiliser and its related products, amongst others.  
4.398.   Let me concl ude by wishing the delegation of Brazil a successful Trade Policy Review.  
HONDURAS  
4.399.   De los informes presentados notamos que el período abarcado en este examen fue 
complejo para el Brasil ya que enfrentaron una recesión de las más pronunciadas en su historia , la 
cual se acompañó por un marcado aumento de la inflación, el desempleo así como por problemas 
de disciplina fiscal.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.400.   No obstante lo anterior, observamos que el país ha realizado varios esfuerzos necesarios 
por realizar las intervenciones equilibradas e n la política monetaria a fin de contener la inflación, la 
cual se mantuvo en el límite superior del margen de tolerancia establecido por el Banco Central del 
Brasil durante la mayor parte del período objeto de examen.  
4.401.   Al mismo tiempo, las autoridades han  adoptado medidas de consolidación fiscal, entre 
otras para mejorar la gestión de las finanzas públicas y de las empresas bajo control estatal, y 
notamos que en diciembre de 2016 se adoptó un nuevo sistema fiscal a fin de corregir las 
deficiencias estructu rales como la excesiva complejidades y la rigidez de los presupuestos 
federales y sub federales y se aprobaron varias enmiendas constitucionales, una de ellas dirigida a 
frenar el crecimiento del gasto público.  
4.402.   Observamos que el Brasil siguió atrayendo con siderables corrientes de entrada de IED, 
cuyo valor osciló entre el 2 y el 3,3% del PIB y que permitieron financiar plenamente el déficit de 
la cuenta corriente en 2015 y 2016.  
4.403.   Nos complace identificar que el Brasil mantiene su compromiso con el sistema mu ltilateral 
de comercio y juega un rol protagónico en el mismo. Brasil es el único país latinoamericano que 
figura entre los 10 primeros de la clasificación mundial del comercio electrónico minorista, y uno 
de los mercados de ese grupo que crece más rápidam ente y ocupa el Tercer puesto en Sudamérica 
y el Quincuagésimo Primero en el Índice de la UNCTAD sobre Comercio Electrónico de Empresa.  
4.404.   Acentuamos, que el Brasil ha emprendido proyectos que incluyen la restructuración del 
sistema nacional de la propiedad i ndustrial, el programa Portal Único de Comercio Exterior así 
como iniciativas para simplificar los procedimientos internos y volver a examinar los marcos 
jurídicos que generan costos de transacción innecesarios para el sector productivo.  
4.405.   Por otro lado, not amos que los servicios, un componente primordial de la competitividad 
global de las exportaciones, continúan siendo el sector que más contribuye al valor añadido bruto 
del Brasil y a la creación de empleo.  
4.406.   La República Federativa de Brasil sigue siendo un  interlocutor importante del comercio 
mundial de determinados productos agrícolas, y es un exportador neto de petróleo crudo con una 
de las matrices energéticas más ecológicas del mundo y sigue siendo prácticamente autosuficiente 
en lo que respecta a la pr oducción de energía primaria.   
4.407.   Identificamos que la fuerte competencia en los mercados siguió dando lugar a mejoras 
adicionales de la calidad y las tarifas de los servicios de telecomunicaciones y no perdemos de 
vista que en 2016, el CADE endureció los cr iterios de notificación de fusiones mediante el 
establecimiento de prescripciones de notificación para los contratos de asociación y publicó 
directrices sobre su programa de indulgencia antimonopolio, los acuerdos de cese y desistimiento 
en los casos de cá rteles, la conclusión de fusiones antes de su aprobación, los programas de 
cumplimiento en materia de competencia y las fusiones horizontales  
4.408.   En lo que respecta a comercio bilateral, en el año 2016 nuestras importaciones 
representaron alrededor de 139 mill ones de dólares EE.UU. con una tasa anual de crecimiento 
entre 2012 -2016 de un 4% lo que significó un 2% en las importaciones totales de Honduras y 
exportamos a Brasil más de 4 millones de dólares EE.UU. en máquinas, aparatos y material 
eléctrico, Pescados  y crustáceos, Frutas Azúcares y artículos de confitería entre otros. Al tercer 
trimestre de 2016, Brasil invirtió unos 229 millones de dólares EE.UU. en Honduras.  
4.409.   Adicionalmente, tal como lo indican los informes, el Brasil ha celebrado un acuerdo de 
coope ración en materia de aduanas con nuestro país y en el marco de la V Cumbre de la CELAC, 
nuestras autoridades se reunieron con el fin de dialogar sobre los puntos de coincidencia que unen 
ambas naciones entre ellas el futuro de la CELAC, los buenos resultad os de la Comisión Mixta que 
se llevó a cabo en Tegucigalpa en Noviembre del 2016, donde se abordaron temas como el apoyo 
técnico para la implantación de dos bancos de leche humana en Honduras; el desarrollo de 
capacidades en la gestión de la salud mental; el fortalecimiento de la gestión de la Política Social, 
las mejores prácticas en Gestión Forestal Sostenible, las Practicas de prevención y retiro del 
trabajo infantil en Honduras, así como en la capacitación en metodologías de generación y 
transferencia d e tecnologías agropecuarias.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.410.   Finalmente, Honduras felicita a la República Federativa de Brasil por sus importantes 
esfuerzos y logros durante el período de examen y les deseamos el mayor de los éxitos en la 
presentación de su Examen de Políticas Comercial es. 
ISRAEL  
4.411.   Since its last review in 2013, the Brazilian economy has continued to face both internal 
and global headwinds including overall currency depreciation as well as increased competition for 
its exports and terms of trade deterioration that have res ulted in a serious recession. GDP, 
consumption and capital have followed a downward trend, while inflation, unemployment, and 
gross and net public sector debt have risen.  
4.412.   In response, the Government has undertaken a host of trade and trade -related reform 
initiatives in several areas aimed at fostering growth, including in trade facilitation, anti -dumping, 
production and trade incentives, energy, manufacturing, transport infrastructure - while many 
other reforms remain under consideration. Monetary policy in terventions have been targeted at 
containing inflation and containing excessive short -term volatility. Israel commends all of these 
efforts.  
4.413.   From the TPR reports we note that the framework and foreign trade regime of Brazil has 
not suffered significant cha nges over the period under review while it has continued to rely on a 
similar level of tariffs as a source of revenue. This means that its tariffs have remained somewhat 
difficult to ascertain for importers as there is the MERCOSUR CET, its numerous exempt ions and 
the MFN applied tariffs to reckon with depending on the situation.  
4.414.   Turning to bilateral trade, Brazil and Israel have a history of exchange in the technical, 
scientific and technological areas. Ever since the 1960s Israeli companies have been invo lved in 
irrigation projects in Brazil. Nowadays, Brazil is our largest partner in the MERCOSUR with which 
we have a Free Trade Agreement signed in December 2007 and in force since April 2010. The 
agreement aims to open the market of goods trade, rules of o rigin, safekeeping, cooperation in 
technical and sanitary norms, technological and technical cooperation and customs cooperation.  
4.415.   Between 2013 -2016, our bilateral trade averaged over US$1.2 billion a year. Israel mainly 
exports to Brazil machinery, tools, chemical products, plastics, fertilisers, pharmaceutical products, 
citruses – among other products and services; Brazil exports to Israel mainly meat, fish and 
seafood, seeds and grains, and dairy products, among other products. Although over the period 
under review, the Brazilian economy has remained notably inward oriented, it has continued to be 
an important economic partner to Israel. We firmly believe that there is still much potential and 
value yet to be extracted both ways from our trade relation. We  believe in this, because nowadays 
there is significant activity by Israeli companies operating in high -value added sectors including 
agro technology, water, food and beverage, cybersecurity, cleantech, cosmetics, new media, oil 
and gas, and health, to nam e a few, and we know first -hand that our companies stand ready to 
scale up their operations under the right conditions in Brazil.  
4.416.   However, it is worth noting that Israeli companies and investors continue to find Brazil a 
challenging country in which to do business. We know that Brazil has acknowledged this and we 
would applaud initiatives geared at enhancing its public administration. We commend recent 
initiatives undertaken to address infrastructure bottlenecks, and hope that those medium -term 
intervention s are accompanied by further liberal reforms as well.  
4.417.   Israel's shares the views expressed by others in thinking that there remains scope for 
trade regime improvement in Brazil. We could note particularly areas around customs clearance 
and valuation, in imp roving processes that directly affect imports, such as the amount of "red 
tape", paperwork and time involved in importing products into Brazil. We also remain concerned 
by certain import prohibitions and non -automatic licensing instances, as well as issues  of 
standards and technical regulations. Another area of concern relates to the complex taxation and 
duties system which our exporters wish it was more predictable and transparent. In short, we 
would expect that Brazil does more to streamline procedures an d help the flows of routine trade 
increase.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.418.   In addition, Israel has also been concerned by some trade policies proposed and/or 
implemented recently by Brazil apparently intended to protect certain industries from foreign 
competition, even if only temporari ly. We make reference to this, while noting with attention that 
Brazil is now one of the world's largest users of anti -dumping procedures, we would encourage it 
to ensure that its anti -dumping processes are applied accurately and fairly and only against 
imported products that in fact do cause or pose a serious threat of causing material injury to 
Brazilian industries.  
4.419.   Moving on to FDI, Israel has appreciated Brazil's relatively open regime for foreign 
investment. However, we have been impacted by restrictio ns introduced in 2010 on foreign 
investment, such as those in rural land, and are interested in learning more about the impact of 
recent initiatives and other FDI limitations in services sectors such as health.  
4.420.   We should acknowledge the importance of Brazi l's agricultural sector given that with the 
fourth -largest agricultural land in the world, it continues to be the world's third -largest exporter of 
agricultural products, accounting for 5.1% of total agricultural exports in 2015. We find it 
important to no te that this has been achieved without the use of export subsidies and within AMS 
commitment levels. Other support policies remain though, our encouragement to Brazil as a key 
proponent of agricultural trade reform, is to lead by example and to do away wit h using trade 
distorting measures. With regards to SPS, we are interested in hearing Brazil's responses to 
questions regarding the registration processes under the Plant Protection Department. We 
understand that the Department that is responsible for the l icensing of imports of certain seeds to 
Brazil has had thousands of requests outstanding in the last few years. Some of the processes 
affecting us have been opened for over 8 years (for watermelon seeds) while other processes are 
also still under examinati on. We would be appreciative of your responses in this regard, 
particularly to learn what are the steps, if any, the Government, through its Ministry of Agriculture, 
has taken in order to address this situation.  
4.421.   Israel would like to welcome and share Brazi l's commitment to the WTO and its 
commitment to the eventual conclusion of the Doha Round negotiations. Although, we have not 
necessarily shared the same views in the WTO at all times, we recognise the constructive role that 
Brazil plays in the Organizatio n with its active participation and by its tabling of discussion papers 
and proposals. As noted abundantly, in spite of difficulties, today Brazil is one of the world's 
largest economies and as such, Israel considers it important that it leads by example o n 
international trade and investment policies.  
4.422.   To conclude, we would like to wish Brazil every success in its path to recovery and in this 
seventh Trade Policy Review.  
PAKISTAN  
4.423.   Since its previous Trade Policy Review in 2013, Brazil's economy slowed down an d entered 
a recession in 2015 -16. Annual GDP growth dropped from 3% in 2013 to 0.9% in 2014 and then 
went into negative territory in 2015 and 2016 with consumption and gross fixed capital formation 
following a similar trend. The Brazilian economy is projec ted to enter a gradual recovery in 2017, 
but growth is expected to remain weak for a prolonged period.  
4.424.   The Brazilian economy remains inward oriented, with aggregate two -way trade in goods 
and services representing about 25% of GDP throughout the review pe riod. Brazil continued to 
attract sizable FDI inflows, ranging between 2% and 3.3% of GDP, which fully financed the current 
account deficit in both 2015 and 2016.  
4.425.   Pakistan appreciates that Brazil encourages inward FDI, which is prevalent across the 
economy . There are several sector -specific limitations (e.g. air transport, financial institutions, 
health services, rural land acquisition, broadcasting and publishing media, fishing, mining, and 
hydrocarbons exploration). During the review period, certain healt hcare services were further 
opened to FDI.  
4.426.   Pakistan takes note that Brazil remains committed to, and an active participant in, the 
multilateral trading system. It now also grants preferential treatment to services and service 
suppliers from least develope d countries (LDCs).  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  4.427.   It is commendable that Brazil attaches importance to making laws transparent and readily 
accessible; additional efforts have been undertaken to make trade and trade -related information 
available online.  
4.428.   The tariff remains one of Brazil 's main trade policy instruments. Brazil applies the 
MERCOSUR Common External Tariff (CET). It grants at least most -favoured -nation (MFN) tariff 
treatment to all trading partners. Brazil's 2017 applied MFN tariff is entirely ad valorem  and 
comprises 19 ban ds, with rates ranging from zero to 55%. The simple average applied MFN tariff 
declined slightly from 11.7% in 2012 to 11.6% in 2017; for dutiable lines, the decline was from 
12.7% to 12.6%. The gap between the average bound and applied rates is some 18.5 percentage 
points.  
4.429.   It's worth mentioning that during the review period, Brazil took steps to upgrade its single 
window and its authorized economic operator program. Brazil maintains a system of automatic and 
non-automatic licenses for imports of various p roducts, regardless of their origin.  
4.430.   Brazil's intellectual property rights (IPR) legislation covers all the major aspects covered by 
the TRIPS Agreement. In some areas, including copyright, rights exceed the minimum terms laid 
down in the Agreement. Prote ction was further enhanced with the expansion of international 
commitments, and the introduction of penalty provisions for infractions in certain areas.  
4.431.   Brazil remains a major player in the global trade of certain agricultural commodities. 
During the revie w period, the sector's share in gross value added (5.5% in 2016) remained 
relatively stable. The average MFN tariff for agricultural products at 10.2% remains unchanged.  
4.432.   Brazil, a net exporter of crude oil with one of the greenest energy matrixes in the w orld, 
remains nearly self -sufficient in primary energy production.  
4.433.   Services, a key component of overall export competitiveness, remain the main contributor 
to Brazil's gross value added (73.3% in 2016) and job creation. Pakistan appreciates that during 
the review period, Brazil's GATS commitments were improved and three of Brazil's RTAs now 
contain WTO -plus services commitments.  
4.434.   Strong market competition continued to lead to further improvements in the quality and 
tariffs of telecommunication services. In itiatives were undertaken to address transport and related 
infrastructure bottlenecks. Foreign entry into wholesale trade services is generally allowed, 
whereas commercial presence in retail services and franchising remains unrestricted.  
4.435.   Pakistan and Braz il enjoy very good bilateral relations. Both are fellow friends of 
Investment facilitation for development (FIFD). Brazil's exports to Pakistan have jumped 
significantly from US$177 million in 2011 to US$298 million in 2015, whereas Pakistan's exports to 
Brazil remain at around US$71 million.  
4.436.   We want to specifically appreciate the positive role of Brazil Mission led by Ambassador 
Evandro Didonet in the multilateral system.  
4.437.   In the end, we would like to wish Brazil a fruitful and successful TPR.  
ESTADO  PLURINACIONAL  DE BOLIVIA  
4.438.   Primero queremos dar la bienvenida a la distinguida delegación de Brasil que ha venido a 
presentar este examen de política comercial, como una muestra más del compromiso de su Estado 
con el sistema multilateral de comercio.  
4.439.   Para el Est ado Plurinacional de Bolivia, Brasil no solo es socio comercial importante sino es 
un país con el cual Bolivia comparte une historia común de hermandad y fraternidad. Es por ello 
que hemos seguido con atención la difícil  situación que ha atravesado los úl timos anos, en 
particular después du último examen de política comercial sostenido el año 2013.  
4.440.   Durante este tiempo hemos seguido de cerca la crisis económica que ha afectado al Brasil 
y reconocemos los esfuerzos que ha realizado para salir de la crisis pa ra volver a constituir el WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  motor de Latinoamérica. En este sentido, esperamos que, como lo mencionan los informes de la 
Secretaría y del Gobierno, Brasil vuelva a la senda del crecimiento este año 2017 y se proyecte 
mejor el año 2017.  
4.441.   En esta ocasión no ten emos preguntas específicas para Brasil, dado que, como se ha 
hecho históricamente esperamos tratar nuestras preocupaciones, a través de una fluida relación 
bilateral o, en un futuro próximo, en el ámbito del MERCOSUR proceso regional al cual está 
próximo a  integrarse como miembro pleno.  
GUATEMALA  
4.442.   Guatemala reconoce la acuciosa investigación de la Secretaría de la OMC, reflejada en el 
informe preparado en el marco de este examen. Su contenido describe de visión amplia y 
completa del entorno económico y los a vances en los últimos dos años, de las políticas comerciales 
implementadas por Brasil Agradecemos también a la Presidente del Órgano de Políticas 
Comerciales por sus palabras introductorias, así como al Embajador Gennady Ovechko, 
Representante Permanente d e la Federación Rusa ante la OMC, completa visión analítica que en su 
calidad de ponente, ha compartido con nosotros en esta sesión.  
4.443.   Las relaciones entre Guatemala y Brasil se basan en lazos de amistad y apoyo mutuo. En 
el ámbito comercial, a diciembre de  2015, el flujo anual de comercio entre nuestros dos países 
ascendió a más de 245 millones de dólares EE.UU. Los principales productos que Guatemala 
exporta a Brasil son insecticidas, fungicidas, desinfectantes, plomo, caucho natural y productos de 
la indu stria química. En sentido inverso, dentro de los principales productos brasileños importados 
a Guatemala, se encuentran las máquinas y los aparatos mecánicos para usos electrotécnicos, 
materiales plásticos y sus manufacturas y vehículos y material de trans porte. En la OMC, ambos 
formamos parte del G20 y del Grupo Cairns, dos coaliciones de Miembros de esta Organización en 
las que hemos podido profundizar nuestros intercambios con miras a lograr un balance en el 
comercio agrícola internacional.  
4.444.   Si bien nues tro comercio bilateral ha sido estable y ha aumentado progresivamente en la 
última década, consideramos que existe un importante potencial para poder incrementar los 
intercambios de mercancías y servicios.  
4.445.   En relación con la revisión de las políticas comer ciales de Brasil que hoy se realiza, 
observamos que durante el período estudiado se llevaron a cabo importantes iniciativas de 
reforma, con el objetivo de fomentar el crecimiento en esferas como la facilitación del comercio, 
las medidas antidumping y la co ncesión de incentivos a la producción. Otro aspecto positivo es la 
apertura que mantiene el país a la inversión extranjera, cuestión que se ve reflejada a través de la 
mayor apertura de nuevos sectores de su economía, así como el refuerzo del marco regulat orio. 
En el ámbito de la facilitación del comercio, además de ratificar el Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del 
Comercio, Brasil también implementó diversos cambios, con el objetivo de modernizar la ventanilla 
única y el programa de operadores económicos autoriz ados.  
4.446.   A pesar de estos cambios positivos, la economía brasileña tuvo que hacer frente a 
importantes dificultades en los últimos dos años, derivados de una importante desaceleración de la 
economía y una importante recesión en 2015 y 2016. Esta recesión ha sido una de las más 
importantes en la historia reciente de Brasil y constituye por ende un gran reto el poder 
implementar las políticas públicas necesarias y lograr un mayor fortalecimiento institucional, para 
devolver su economía a la senda del crecimient o.   
4.447.   Reconocemos los esfuerzos emprendidos por Brasil para seguir adelante con la 
implementación de sus políticas comerciales y esperamos continuar fortaleciendo nuestros vínculos 
comerciales a nivel bilateral y regional. Deseamos a la delegación que hoy l os representa una 
exitosa conclusión de su examen de políticas comerciales.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF BRAZIL AND ADDITIONAL COMME NTS 
5.1.  I want to thank you and the Secretariat for the organization of the meeting and for promptly 
sending us all the doc uments.  
5.2.  I also want to thank, once again, Ambassador Ovechko for his presentation.  
5.3.  My colleagues from the Brazilian delegation made an effort to answer all the written 
questions we received. Apart from follow up questions that arrived in our mailbox yeste rday, I 
believe we have answered practically everything. And what was left unanswered will be replied to 
in the coming days.  
5.4.  We took careful note of all statements made on Monday. Taken as a whole, they were a very 
comprehensive appraisal of bilateral rel ations, of our participation in the WTO and of our trade 
policy. We are grateful for the interest with which Members participated in our TPR.  
Economic and Business Environment  
5.5.  We were very encouraged by the many expressions of confidence in Brazil's econom ic policies 
and reform agenda. We thank all Members for their trust in our ability to overcome the recession 
and to get back on the track of sustainable development. Brazil is committed to maintaining its 
solid macroeconomic fundamentals.  
5.6.  Several Members m entioned their shared commitment with Brazil to overcoming poverty and 
inequality. Even though I did not mention this central element of Brazilian domestic and foreign 
policy in my statement on Monday, I want to stress that it remains a fundamental objecti ve for us. 
There will be no sustainable growth and development for Brazil if we do not continue to address 
social development needs. The Brazilian Government is working to improve the focus of the Bolsa 
Familia programme and its mechanisms to make it more efficient in generating the inclusion of the 
most vulnerable sectors of our population. The Government is also attentive to the need to 
continue to increase access to basic services, such as water, sanitation, electricity and quality 
education.  
5.7.  Many Member s picked up on the assessment in the Secretariat's report that Brazil is a mostly 
inward -looking economy, based on the fact that trade in goods and services account for 25% of 
our GDP. However, as I mentioned on Monday, the figure for some other large econ omies is not 
very different from ours, and nobody would argue that they are inward -looking economies.  
5.8.  Moreover, Brazil stands out as being very open to foreign direct investment. As I mentioned 
on Monday, if we take only the sector of infrastructure, we h ave recorded inflows of US$11 billion 
in 2017 alone. Several Members called our attention to Brazil's poor performance in the World 
Bank's Doing Business Index. Shortcomings and/or complexities in our tax system, regulatory 
frameworks, bureaucracy, infrast ructure and other relevant topics for the business environment 
were highlighted as impediments for our competitiveness in the international market. Here, I can 
only repeat that the Government is committed to tackling these problems, which we describe as 
part of the so -called "Brazil cost". I gave several concrete examples for that in my initial 
statement.  
5.9.  At the same time, in regard to the assessments contained in the World Bank "Doing Business 
in Brazil" publication, I take this opportunity to note that i t strikes us as odd that notwithstanding 
the evident changes and advances we have made in the past few years in certain issues, our 
rankings in certain indicators remain the same. We are looking closely at the methodology that 
was used and will approach th e World Bank with suggestions on what may need to be reviewed.  
5.10.   I think that it is important to insist on the fact that – whatever the possible difficulties for 
foreign companies to do business in Brazil – the challenges they face are exactly the same ones  
that affect Brazilian companies. Shortcomings in our business environment are not a barrier 
against imports or foreign investment in Brazil.  
5.11.   I also want to stress that some of the reforms that were mentioned by Members, especially 
those related to our tax  structure, depend on negotiations that include our municipalities, states WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  and Congress, among other stakeholders. It is a complex negotiation that in a democracy such as 
ours will take time to complete.  
5.12.   In any case, the Government is considering a series of measures to simplify and streamline 
procedures, such as reducing the time needed to open and close businesses or to pay taxes.  
5.13.   It is important to note, nonetheless, that the taxes that are levied on the sale or resale of 
goods are, as a rule, non -cumula tive and the actual tax burden is the same for domestic and 
imported goods. There is no discrimination.  
Trade Policy  
5.14.   We were pleased that many Members highlighted the fact that, despite challenging 
economic circumstances, Brazil has not resorted to protect ionist policies.  
5.15.   On the contrary, as I mentioned in my initial statement, there is growing consensus, 
especially in our private sector, that Brazil needs to enhance its participation in international trade 
and investment flows.  
5.16.   A number of Members highlig hted their bilateral/regional trade negotiations or exploratory 
dialogues underway with Mercosul, while others expressed an interest in starting free trade 
negotiations with our bloc. We are encouraged by these remarks. Together with our Mercosur 
partners,  Brazil will continue to implement a robust bilateral/regional negotiations agenda, as a 
complement to our commitment to the multilateral trading system.  
5.17.   We were also very pleased that Members recognized Brazil's commitment to the WTO's 
rules-based multil ateral trading system, as well as our engagement to ensure a successful MC11. 
Last Monday, as the representative of the European Union mentioned, we co -sponsored a proposal 
related to domestic support in agriculture, public stockholding and cotton. We hope  that it can 
contribute to our joint efforts. As Members know, Brazil also presented other papers on SPS, 
investment facilitation, SMEs and e -commerce.  
Sectoral Issues  
5.18.   Repeated references were made to our tariff structure and to the differences between our  
bound and applied tariffs. I want to confirm that, as stated in our written answers to several 
Members, we always respect the bound levels at the WTO.  
5.19.   In what regards the changing tariffs in Mercosur and the supposed complexity of the 
system, I would note  that many of the so called exceptions are used to lower or eliminate 
provisionally tariffs for certain products. So it is something positive for exporting Members.  
5.20.   Many Members referred to our recourse to trade remedies. On this matter, I would like to 
make two comments. First, our investigating authorities are very thorough in their compliance with 
the WTO Agreements and have made successive efforts at modernizing our legislation. The second 
comment concerns the level of activity. The number of petitions that were presented by our 
private sector reached its peak in 2011 and has witnessed successive reductions since then. We 
initiated 67 investigations in 2013 (including new investigations and revisions) and only 24 in 
2016. In terms of application of measu res, the numbers went down from 43 in 2013 to 29 in 2016.  
5.21.   Another issue that came up repeatedly on Monday relates to our non -automatic licensing 
system. As I indicated, our National Trade Facilitation Committee is not only addressing the 
implementation of the WTO TFA agreement, but has created a Working Group to address the need 
to decrease the number of and to simplify procedures related to licenses for imports and exports. I 
would also like to note a specificity of the Brazilian system: the number of prod ucts currently 
requiring licensing is determined by different rules and regulations applying to each agency that 
authorizes imports, exports or transit operations. Contrary to what happens in the case of many 
other Members, we control through our non -autom atic licensing system issues such SPS 
requirements, or requirements for medications. This partially explains the high number of 
non-automatic licenses. This situation will be simplified by the Single Window for imports and 
exports.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  5.22.   In the area of standard s, technical, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, the regulatory 
authorities in Brazil are committed to increased transparency as well as the adoption and 
promotion of Good Regulatory Practices, following the OECD recommendations.  
5.23.   More than 60% of the  technical regulations published and notified by Brazil during the 
period of 2013 -2017 foresaw 60 days for public consultation and comments. However, the 
processing time for notifying regulations, which ranges from the time the regulation is published 
dome stically to the time it appears in the WTO website, has lasted an average of 11 days. This is 
why it appears from the statistics that most Brazilian technical regulations allow for less than 
60 days for manifestations. A similar situation is observed for S PS notifications. It should be 
stressed that comments from WTO Members have been considered by Brazilian authorities even 
after the closure of the pre -defined period for receiving them.  
5.24.   Inmetro, as the Brazilian TBT Enquiry Point, will make an effort to p ersuade domestic 
regulators to allow for a 75 -day period for public consultations, whenever possible and feasible. 
This longer period would account for the processing time of notifications and thus allow for a de 
facto 60 days for international comments fo r the majority of technical regulations.  
5.25.   A similar endeavour is carried out by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and the Brazilian 
Health Regulatory Agency, the enquiry points for the SPS Agreement. Both institutions are making 
an effort to meet the su ggested comment period for notifications. Also, it is worth noting that they 
have been jointly working in national and international technical forums, including Codex 
Alimentarius committees and MERCOSUR working groups, so as to promote convergence between  
institutions and the use of international standards.  
5.26.   And I would like here to pause and thank the support lent by Members to the election of 
Guilherme Costa, from Brazil, as Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.  
5.27.   Regulatory agencies in Brazil h ave striven to implement regulations that are more 
evidence -based, effective, and transparent, and seeking convergence with international best 
practices and standards. A good example is in the pharmaceutical sector: the Brazilian Health 
Regulatory Agency w as recently admitted as a member to ICH, the International Council for 
Harmonization for Pharmaceuticals. This admission is proof that the Brazilian technical 
requirements for medicines have been recognized as a reference by international partners. The 
Brazilian Government has been committed to ensuring the access to medicines that have quality, 
at affordable prices - and paramount to this mission is the existence of a strong, active and 
constantly evolving Health Regulatory Agency.  
5.28.   Many Members also raised  the issue of agricultural domestic support in Brazil. But I insist: 
despite a broad array of support programmes, actual expenditures are very low. Some Members 
called on us to lead by example, considering that we are one of the main leading agricultural 
producers and exporters. We believe we are doing just that. Total expenditures under Articles 6.2, 
6.3 and 6.4 programmes amounted to US$3.03 billion in 2015, which was equivalent to 2% of the 
VoP. And I want to remind Members that we are completely up to d ate with our notifications.  
5.29.   Another area that was the object of many comments was the services sector. Between 2003 
and 2016, the services sector participation in the GDP grew from 65.8% to 73.3%. Financial 
services, distribution services, construction ser vices, telecom services and IT Services are among 
the most dynamic services activities of the economy. Wholesale and retail services, for example, 
accounted for 12.8% of GDP in 2016. Regulatory reforms also bolstered more competitiveness and 
efficiency in the Telecom sector over the last few decades: three of the four main telecom 
suppliers in Brazil are controlled by foreign capital. It is also worth mentioning that some of the 
infrastructure regulatory agencies joined the OECD's Network of Economic Regula tors (NER), with 
the objective of reducing red tape and regulatory burden.  
5.30.   In the banking sector, the transition from a high to a low inflation context led to important 
transformations. Banks became more efficient in financial intermediation and in genera ting results. 
Not by coincidence, Brazil represents an important market in terms of revenues and profits for 
foreign banks established in the country. It is important to remark that all foreign financial 
institutions that want to establish in Brazil and th at fulfil our prudential requirements are operating 
in our country.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  5.31.   To close, I would like to mention that Brazil's commitment to the protection of intellectual 
property rights as provided by the TRIPS Agreement remains unchanged. Policies aiming at 
streamlining procedures and increasing the efficiency of the National Institute of Industrial 
Property are currently under way, through the use of electronic filing systems, elimination of 
unnecessary bureaucracy and enhancement of international cooperation. Fu rthermore, 210 new 
patent and trademark examiners were hired in the last 12 months. This has enabled the Institute 
to initiate the reversal of the trend of the backlog in patent and trademark applications, improving 
the general business environment in Braz il and creating incentives for innovation by national and 
multinational companies operating in our country. We also continue to increase the effectiveness 
of intellectual property rights' enforcement through actions by customs and police authorities, as 
well as international cooperation, especially in border regions. This is underlined by the number of 
enforcement actions and the value of illegal products seized by Brazilian authorities, in spite of the 
challenges posed by our large continental area. Thank you. 
DISCUSSANT  
5.32.   I would firstly like to appreciate Mr. Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, Director of the Economic 
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Ambassador Evandro Didonet, and the 
Brazilian delegation as a whole for their enthusias m and effort that have turned this review into an 
extremely valuable exercise for the country and for the WTO Membership.  
5.33.   It is a pleasure to say that Brazil has been largely recognized for its bold and decisive action 
to fix the economy and make it grow a gain. It was a common point that Brazil did address ongoing 
upheavals with a set of multi -faceted reforms and is expected to yield results. The major indicators 
suggest that the Brazilian recovery is gaining strength and contributes to a better global outl ook. If 
this momentum is sustained, the national economy could quite soon deliver positively on growth, 
jobs and fiscal stability.  
5.34.   It has been frequently emphasized that Brazil, despite certain setbacks, continued to adhere 
to rule -based free trade. It has  been playing an active role in strengthening the WTO as an 
institutional pillar and equiped it with additional advanced tools in support of cross -border 
commerce. It is clearly exemplified by Brazil's recent adoption of Trade Facilitation Agreement and 
the Fifth Protocol on Financial Services and, moreover, extra access provision in services for LDCs.  
5.35.   Brazil was also praised for its leadership in shaping and promoting negotiations agenda. As 
it was a case previously, the country keeps tabling valuable ini tiatives in response to the current 
challenges to trade. They range from the traditional stuff like agricultural or fisheries subsidies and 
stretch to new frontiers - investment facilitation and electronic commerce.  
5.36.   Brazil's review has quite expectedly com manded a high degree of interest in the WTO. In 
many ways, it stems from the fact that Brazil is the largest source and destination for goods and 
investment flows in Latin America. Its economic performance often has a felt impact on its 
partners. Therefore , it comes naturally that the review provoked a real tide of questions aimed at 
highlighting the areas for improvement.  
5.37.   In this vein, customs administration and border control is clearly on the radar. A number of 
Members lamented the wide gap between boun d and applied tariff. Magnitude of antidumping 
measures and other trade defences hurdle the trade while their legitimate grounds are not always 
impeccable. Non -automatic import licensing that affects half of the incoming merchandise adds up 
to the difficul ties. In view of inquiring delegations, it is worth to explore possibilities in making 
border procedures predictable, low cost and user -friendly. Particular importance was given to 
further development of a single window and customs digitalization.  
5.38.   On the i nner side, the focus was made on a highly complicated tax system. Foreign 
companies recurrently quote it as an obstacle to their business activities. There is a loud call to the 
Brazilian Government to address the matter through streamline and simplificati on. The other 
problems comprise insufficient protection of the intellectual property and subsidies to agricultural 
producers.  
5.39.   Members also repetitively touched upon regional integration. Brazil is well -known for 
promoting RTAs transparency and alignment w ith the WTO rules. At the last ministerial in Nairobi, WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  it successfully pushed for a systemic dialogue on regional trade deals. In light of this, many 
delegations urge Brazil to serve as a force for change at MERCOSUR that is the biggest customs 
alliance in  Latin America. The bloc still has multiple derogations in its common external tariff that 
are advisably to be reduced to the minimum.  
5.40.   The general message from the review is that Members are going to pursue all the possible 
avenues to expand their economi c and trade cooperation with Brazil. They want to see Brazil as a 
dynamic and vibrant partner in building the value chains and taking advantage from the 
international division of labour.  
5.41.   I am delighted to state that the interventions and questions were met  by Brazilian 
delegation with careful attention and thoughtful response. I do believe that the lessons learnt from 
the exchange we had these two days would serve as a good basis for Brazil's homework and feed 
in our joint efforts to build up cooperation wi th the country.  
5.42.   I would like to conclude my statement by congratulating Brazil with the successful review. It 
was a truly good account of the Brazilian economy and the Government's able policies to withstand 
the headwinds. I wish my Brazilian friends to k eep up the pace of progress and continue to 
navigate skilfully the choppy waters of today's economic realities.  
BÉNIN  
5.43.   La délégation du Bénin apprécie les efforts déployés et les initiatives et réformes menées 
par les autorités et institutions brésiliennes compétentes en vue d'établir un nouveau cadre 
d'exercice des activités économiques et commerciales.  
5.44.   Nous mentionnerons notamment les réformes en vue de l'assainissement des finances, le 
resserrement de la politique monétaire de la Banque centrale du Brésil , la promotion des 
investissements et de l'innovation, le développement des énergies renouvelables, etc.  
5.45.   Le Brésil poursuit sa politique d'ouverture commerciale et reste un acteur émergent de 
l'économie mondiale et du système commercial multilatéral. Il e st également un défenseur connu 
du régime de commerce ouvert et axé sur les règles, et de promotion de l'intégration des Pays les 
Moins Avancés (PMA) dans le système commercial multilatéral grâce à sa contribution très 
appréciée au renforcement des capacit és de production et d'exportation de ces derniers, et l'octroi 
d'un régime préférentiel à leurs fournisseurs de services.  
5.46.   Le Brésil demeure convaincu que dans le contexte économique international actuel, la 
fonction de négociation de l'OMC devra être plus que jamais renforcée pour obtenir, à la 11ème 
Conférence Ministérielle à Buenos Aires des résultats positifs et concrets qui donnent la priorité au 
développement, conformément au Programme de Doha pour le Développement.  
5.47.   La délégation du Bénin partage cett e vision de nos travaux à l'OMC en vue de la 11ème 
Conférence Ministérielle. Elle reste également persuadée, tout autant que le Brésil, qu'un dispositif 
efficace de Traitement Spécial et Différencié pour les Pays en développement, en général, et les 
PMA, e n particulier, constitue une étape importante vers l'instauration de conditions égales pour 
tous les Membres. C'est le moyen le plus sûr pour que le commerce contribue à la réalisation des 
Objectifs de Développement Durable (ODD).  
5.48.   La délégation du Bénin ap précie hautement la contribution constructive et effective que le 
Brésil apporte aux travaux de négociations commerciales sur le coton, pour la prise en compte des 
préoccupations et priorités des Pays les Moins Avancés (PMA) producteurs et exportateurs du 
Coton, et ceux du C -4, en particulier.  
5.49.   Au niveau bilatéral, le Bénin entretient d'excellentes relations économiques, commerciales, 
politiques, sociales et culturelles avec le Brésil.  
5.50.   Les deux pays sont liés par l'histoire. En effet, on retrouve dans la p artie méridionale du 
Bénin, l'architecture brésilienne, des traits culturels afro -brésiliens, des noms des descendants 
brésiliens. La Maison du Brésil à Ouidah, ville située à une trentaine de Kilomètres de Cotonou, 
avec son emblématique "Porte de non -retour'", sert aujourd'hui de trait d'union entre le Brésil et le WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  Bénin. De même, on retrouve au Brésil des traits culturels béninois, à savoir: Casa do Benin, à 
Salvador de Bahia, le "akara'" et d'autres arts culinaires, la musique, les rites religieux, 
notam ment le (vodoun), et la langue yoruba qui est enseignée dans les couvents.  
5.51.   La délégation du Bénin se félicite de ces liens séculaires entre les deux pays, lesquels se 
traduisent par le niveau très apprécié de la qualité de l'assistance technique et financ ière que le 
Brésil apporte à la République du Bénin, notamment dans le cadre de l'Aide pour le commerce, et 
l'invite à poursuivre dans cette bonne voie.  
5.52.   Elle félicite l'Ambassadeur, Représentant Permanent de du Brésil auprès de l'OMC, Son 
Excellence Monsie ur Evandro Didonet, et toute son équipe, pour leur engagement constructif dans 
les travaux de négociations commerciales multilatérales, et pour les interactions compréhensives 
qu'ils font avec les autres délégations, en particulier celles du C -4. 
5.53.   La déléga tion du Bénin remercie le Secrétariat de l'OMC et le Gouvernement Brésil pour les 
rapports très informatifs élaborés dans le cadre de la présente session d'Examen des politiques 
commerciales du Brésil.  
5.54.   Elle souhaite pleins succès au Brésil, et un examen r éussi de ses politiques commerciales.  
CAMBODIA  ON BEHALF  OF THE LDC GROUP  
5.55.   We have learnt that the unfavourable economic situation for Brazil is due to the 
consequences of the 2008 financial crisis and the fall in commodity prices as well as the high 
indebt edness level and country mandatory policy tightening.  
5.56.   Facing this situation, Brazil has engaged in reform which has started to be fruitful notably in 
terms of structural changes and fiscal consolidation. In addition, in order to support and 
strengthen over all activity, the Government is implementing an agenda to promote productivity 
and competitiveness. The ambition is to further open the economy and the country to international 
trade, reduce bureaucracy, attract investment and enhance innovation and produc tivity.  
5.57.   We appreciate that the Government is seeking to improve the business environment, boost 
the productivity of industry and improve working conditions. As part of its openness and its aim for 
better integration into world trade, in this regard we have  observed that Brazil is a strong 
supporter of the multilateral trading system and of the role of the WTO.  
5.58.   The LDC Group looks forward to Brazil playing a leading and constructive role for ensuring 
development -oriented results in line with the DDA's object ives, in particular in support of the 
concrete initiatives for LDCs.  
5.59.   The LDC Group welcomes Brazil's view on domestic support and support to the C4 initiative 
on cotton which the LDC Group hopes can be deliverable for MC11.  
5.60.   The Group highly commends Brazi l for implementation of the revision of the granting of 
preferential treatment to services and service suppliers from LDCs. The LDC Group welcomes the 
focus being put on the supply of these services through commercial presence.  
5.61.   However, we hope that Brazil  will also find ways to respond to LDC interests in addressing 
regulatory barriers to LDC professionals and other areas of interest to LDC service suppliers, for 
example similar to what India and Turkey have done in their notification.  
5.62.   The Group also notes  that Brazil continues to attach great importance to the WTO principle 
of special and differential treatment to developing and least developed countries. S&D treatment 
provisions are important steps towards levelling the playing field amongst Members.  
5.63.   Finally, under the preferential and extra -regional agreements that Brazil has developed with 
different groups of countries, the LDC Group notes that an agreement between Mercosur and the 
Southern African Customs Union has recently entered into force. There are  some LDCs in SACU 
and this is a very good sign and we hope that a broad partnership between Brazil and LDCs can be WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  developed in the context of South -South trade, such as under the global system of trade 
preferences among developing countries created in 19 89. 
5.64.   The LDC Group congratulates Brazil for a successful Trade Policy Review.  
MAROC  
5.65.   La délégation du Royaume du Maroc se veut d'abord remercier l'ensemble des orateurs et 
souhaite la bienvenue au Ministre ainsi qu'à l'Ambassadeur permanent du Brésil. Le Mar oc tient 
aussi à féliciter toute la délégation brésilienne pour cet excellent exercice qui reflète son 
engagement de qualité et son rôle constructif important au niveau des négociations bilatérales et 
multilatérales. Au nom du Maroc, permettez -moi aussi de  remercier l'ensemble du Secrétariat de 
l'OMC pour leur travail vital au bon fonctionnement de cet examen.   
5.66.   Le Maroc se questionne sur le processus d'enregistrement des étiquettes et des 
établissements étrangers (EE) autorisés à exporter des produits anim aux au Brésil, effectué sur la 
plateforme PGA -SIGSIF, de la DIPOA/SDA/MAPA qui se trouve être très complexe. Par ailleurs, le 
Maroc demande à l'autorité brésilienne de lui transmettre un document décrivant la procédure en 
question. En outre, l'Office Natio nal de Sécurité Sanitaire des produits Alimentaires (ONSSA), en 
tant qu'autorité compétente Sanitaire et Phyto Sanitaire (SPS) au Maroc, demande, en tant 
qu'utilisateur, la possibilité d'accès à cette plateforme pour la gestion des établissements 
marocains  enregistrés sur cette même plateforme. Il est à noter que des essais d'enregistrement 
de l'ONSSA sur le Site du ministère de l'agriculture n'aboutissent pas. Concernant la même 
plateforme PGA -SIGSIF, nous vous proposons la désignation d'un point de contac t ONSSA -Maroc 
afin de prévoir une circulation d'information ciblée, voire une éventuelle formation concernant la 
plateforme en question.  
5.67.   Le Maroc, une fois de plus, remercie le vif travail du Brésil et lui souhaite pleins succès à 
l'occasion de son septiè me Examen de sa politique commerciale.  
MOZAMBIQUE  
5.68.   My delegation aligns itself with the statement presented by Cambodia on behalf of the LDC 
Group and commends Brazil, member of the community of Portuguese speaking countries with 
which Mozambique shares com mon (stories) and cultural traits, investment and trade relations for 
the commitment to the transparency exercise that today we are all witnessing.  
5.69.   Mozambique and Brazil have for long developed their relations aiming at mutual benefit. 
Indeed, Brazil has a ssisted Mozambique to force a productive capacity in areas of minor resource; 
agriculture, value addition, education.  
5.70.   Mozambique is an LDC country and is one of the beneficiaries of the preferential market, 
access granted by Brazil and the services (wafer)  afforded to LDCs for which we'd like to express 
our gratitude.  
5.71.   As we can see through the report, Brazil still faces enormous challenges. Even though we 
commend the Brazilian Government for the tremendous effort deserted in view to a better 
economic situa tion, improved business environment despite the current economic trend and still is 
a result of the global economic and financial slowdowns in the current global environment 
somehow bringing also uncertainties.  
5.72.   We note with satisfaction all the efforts dev oted by the Brazilian Government that have 
allowed processes in progress of reforms implementation, as well as good prospects aiming at 
forcing development. These are encouraging positive results from the reformed called out.  
5.73.   The review of trade policy is an extremely important exercise and demonstrates the 
country's commitment in maintaining itself as a strategic multilateral and bilateral partner by 
increasing transparency.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  5.74.   Bilateral trade relations between Mozambique and Brazil are governed by the princ iples of 
our community to which both countries and members are committed to and by principles of the 
multilateral trading system.  
5.75.   It should be noted that the two countries have for long developed in substantive and 
friendly council, trade evolvement and tr ade movement.  
5.76.   We are confident that Brazil will continue to succeed in the implementation of reforms and 
national development policies encouraged by its strong commitment to regional initiative, 
multilateral engagement bilateral which actively contributes to the regional and global trading 
system. The prospects of cooperation between our two countries are very promising as we are 
working in order to give greater dynamism to the cooperation project not only in the economic 
sphere but in social, cultural and many others.  
5.77.   To conclude, we wish Brazil a successful Trade Policy Review.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.78.   Let me first thank the Brazilian delegation for the comprehensive overview of the recent 
economic developments in Brazil presented on Monday as well as this morning t hat provided a 
good opportunity to gain a better understanding of the main developments occurred during the 
period under review and to assess the trade and investment climate based on the comments of a 
large number of Brazilian trading partners.  
5.79.   The EU al so appreciates the timely and exhaustive replies provided to the EU questions by 
Brazil as well as the revised replies that we are still examining.   
5.80.   We have submitted a few follow -up questions aiming at receiving further details on SPS 
measures and we loo k forward to receiving the replies in due course.  
5.81.   Like stated by Brazil this morning, the EU also hopes that the proposal on domestic support 
in agriculture, co -sponsored together and circulated on Monday and to be discussed later today, 
will contribute to  the successful outcome of MC11.  
5.82.   Like the discussant, the EU is confident that this review will help Brazil to adopt the 
appropriate measures in order to overcome some of the issues that are considered by several 
Members as a concern.  
5.83.   In this regard, the EU would like to underline once more its concerns on the overly complex 
and discriminatory taxation regime and on the complex business environment and burdensome 
regulatory regime. We have taken good note of the plans foreseen in the near future from the 
statement today.  
5.84.   In conclusion, the EU would like to thank Brazil for its serious and constructive engagement 
in this Trade Policy Review.  
UNITED  STATES  
5.85.   The United States would like to again express our thanks to the delegation of Brazil for their 
preparati on and constructive engagement in this Trade Policy Review.  
5.86.   We also thank Minister da Costa e Silva and Ambassador Ovechko for their clear and 
informative discussion here. And, as always, the Secretariat for its detailed and excellent report.  
5.87.   We thank the delegation also for the answers provided to our written questions. We 
submitted a few follow -up questions seeking clarifications in the areas of government 
procurement, intellectual property rights and antidumping. We look forward to receiving written 
replies.  
5.88.   The United States values our important trade relationship with Brazil and our mutual 
engagement in the many other friendly and active diplomatic connections. We followed with great WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  interest news of the country's recent economic challenges, reforms an d determination to move 
forward.  
5.89.   As mentioned on day one of this TPR, we would very much welcome efforts to improve 
Brazil's trade and investment regime, specifically with respect to liberalizing tariffs which could 
include looking more seriously at joinin g existing initiatives like the Information Technology 
Agreement, eliminating local content requirements and enforcing intellectual property rights.  
5.90.   The United States stands ready and willing to engage constructively on these matters and 
we look forward to  seeing more open markets and a more certain and predictable business 
environment for importers and exporters and investors. And we were encouraged by the 
comments this morning that Brazil is taken steps to simplify and streamline regulations.  
5.91.   In closing, let me congratulate the team from Brazil on another successful TPR. We look 
forward to our continued cooperation both bilaterally and here at the WTO with our valued partner 
and wish safe travel to those returning to Brasilia.  
CHINA  
5.92.   China would like to exp ress our sincere appreciation for the efforts made by Brazil for 
providing us the informative replies just now and to our advance questions.  
5.93.   We also appreciate the valuable comments from the discussant, Ambassador Gennady 
Ovechko.  
5.94.   China has a few follow -up questions which we have already submitted in writing and looks 
forward to receiving the answers from the Brazilian delegation.  
5.95.   Once again, we would like to reiterate that China attaches great importance to the bilateral 
relations in cooperation with Braz il. 
5.96.   China will always be ready to deepen its comprehensive strategic partnership with Brazil 
and strengthen coordination and communication with Brazil in regional and global forums, 
including G20, the BRICS and here in the WTO.  
5.97.   Finally, we congratulate Bra zil again for its successful seventh Trade Policy Review.  
MR. PEDRO  MIGUEL  DA COSTA  E SILVA  (HEAD  OF DELEGATION)  
5.98.   The only thing I can do at this time is to thank you, Chair, the discussant, thank the 
Secretariat, thank all Members that went through these t wo days for all their questions and 
interest in our TPR, which was a very instructive and useful experience for the Brazilian delegation, 
for all of us. Being seen through somebody else's eyes always helps you to see clearly.  
5.99.   I have to say a very special t hanks to Ambassador Didonet and to my colleagues here in 
Geneva because they made the task of the Brazilian delegation much easier. When you have a 
super team like this one in Geneva it makes the TPR simpler. And I also want to thank all my 
colleagues that  came from Brasilia with me and helped.  
5.100.   The final comment that I want to make is that the interesting thing about this TPR for me, 
apart from hearing about the issues (I knew I was going to hear about Brazilian trade policy and 
our participation in the WTO ) were all the statements with elements about bilateral relations, 
about cooperation initiatives that go beyond trade, but that complement trade. For me it was very 
interesting to have a panoramic view. And I cannot finish my statement without mentioning t hat I 
heard parts of the Brazilian anthem, I heard Brazilian poetry, I heard about Brazilian products that 
everybody uses (the havaianas), I heard Brazilian proverbs, I heard some history that made me 
even a bit emotional from the Representative of Benin b ecause I lived there and I saw what he 
visited and I heard about soccer but I won't go into that.  
5.101.   Just to say thank you to all of you. It has been a very interesting experience and I hope 
that I won't have to wait another 17 years to be back in Geneva.  WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  The seventh Trade Policy Review of Brazil has offered us a good opportunity to deepen our 
understanding of recent developments and challenges to the trade, economic, and investment 
policies of Brazil. As one of the most active Members of the WTO, the 9th largest economy in the 
world in 2016, and the biggest economy of Latin America, Brazil plays an important and valued 
role in the multilateral trading system. Indeed, the more than 900 advance written questions 
submitted b y 27 Members and the 45 delegations that took the floor underline the importance 
attached to Brazil's trade and investment policies and practices.  
6.2.  I would like to thank the Brazilian delegation, led by the Director of the Economic 
Department of the Minist ry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva. Also, I would like 
to thank our discussant Ambassador Gennady Ovechko of the Russian Federation for his insightful 
remarks, and all the delegations that took the floor for their valuable contributio ns to this Review.  
6.3.  Since the time of its last TPR in 2013, Brazil has faced both internal and global headwinds. It 
recorded negative GDP growth of 3.8% and 3.5% in 2015 and 2016 respectively, and 
unemployment rose to 11.3% by 2016. Nevertheless, thanks to  its sound fundamentals, Brazil 
continued to attract substantial foreign investment ranging between 2% and 3.3% of GDP 
throughout the review period, maintaining its position as the top destination of FDI in the Latin 
American Region. The country resumed ec onomic growth in the first quarter of 2017 and, 
according to the authorities, unemployment is also falling. The Brazilian financial system has 
remained stable and inflation has been successfully contained. Members noted with appreciation 
that Brazil had st ayed the course of fiscal responsibility.  
6.4.  Brazil has remained committed to the multilateral trading system striving to make it more 
open. Members commended Brazil for furthering its WTO commitments, for example, by ratifying 
the TFA and depositing its inst rument of acceptance of the Fifth Protocol on Financial Services, and 
some of them reiterated their encouragement for Brazil to participate in the plurilateral GPA. Many 
Members commended Brazil's active, constructive and engaged participation in all areas  of WTO 
work, in particular negotiations on agriculture, fisheries subsidies, as well as discussions on 
investment facilitation and e -commerce. Members also referred to its commitment in the drive 
toward the expansion of MERCOSUR's regional trade agreement s, including outside the region, and 
the inclusion of GATS plus commitments, considered by some as a complement to the multilateral 
framework.  
6.5.  Members welcomed Brazil's efforts to streamline customs procedures through its Single 
Window project and the upg rading of its Authorized Economic Operator programme. They noted 
with satisfaction the progress made towards enabling online submission of documents, and Brazil's 
plans to implement fully digitalized export and import procedures by end -of 2017 and 2018, 
respectively.  
6.6.  With aggregate two -way trade in goods and services representing about 25% of GDP 
throughout the review period, the significance of trade vis -à-vis the size of the Brazilian economy 
remained relatively low. Mr. da Costa e Silva pointed out durin g the first day of the TPR and today 
that this ratio is similar to that of some other large economies in the world. Some Members raised 
questions about plans to raise the productivity and competitiveness of the economy so as to 
facilitate the integration o f Brazilian companies into global value chains referring to Brazil's current 
standing in indicators such as the Doing Business Report of the World Bank. While Members 
acknowledged Brazil's robust performance in attracting foreign investment, they expressed  
concern over the level of complexity of its business environment and encouraged improvements in 
a number of areas, such as easing the regulatory burden. During this TPR, the Brazilian delegation 
shared information on recent and ongoing reforms in areas su ch as fiscal responsibility, the 
modernization of the labour law and the model for public concessions and privatization in certain 
sectors to attract more investment. Mr. da Costa e Silva also referred to Brazil's recent request to 
initiate accession proce dures to the OECD as a signal of Brazil's "commitment to change".  
6.7.  Some Members flagged Brazil's complex tax regime as a major obstacle to doing business 
and raised concerns about possible tax distortions between imported and domestic products. They 
also no ted that the large gap between Brazil's bound and applied tariffs was generally seen to 
undermine the predictability of its trade regime. Members also inquired about Brazil's extensive WT/TPR/W/134  • Brazil  
 
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  use of non -automatic import licensing and anti -dumping measures as well  as its continued reliance 
on local content and local production requirements, included in incentive schemes and in public 
procurement, noting that the latter had recently been relaxed in the hydrocarbons sector. Some 
Members expressed concern about suppor t measures or programmes in certain manufacturing 
activities, such as INOVAR -Auto in the automotive sector, and expressed interest in following up 
the development of new programs such a as ROTA 2030.  
6.8.  Several Members referred to barriers affecting their exp orts to the Brazilian market due to 
operational aspects of Brazil's TBT and SPS systems. They also encouraged Brazil to ensure longer 
periods for public consultations, and between publication and entry into force of these measures. 
Regarding intellectual p roperty, although Members welcomed Brazil's recent steps to reduce the 
significant backlog of applications for registration of IPR titles, notably patents and trademarks, 
they encouraged further efforts to address shortcomings in some areas of IPR protecti on and 
enforcement.  
6.9.  While acknowledging the relatively low level of Brazil's domestic support in agriculture, 
several Members asked about some trade policy instruments and practices, for example, tariffs 
being higher than in manufacturing, SPS, rural credi t and insurance. Several Members appreciated 
Brazil's green energy policy and achievements, including reduction of state involvement in this 
sector. Recognizing the reforms undertaken, some Members noted the persisting influence of the 
state controlled PET ROBRAS in the hydrocarbons market. Services were recognized as key drivers 
for future growth and some Members encouraged Brazil to increase productivity and 
competitiveness of the sector by, inter alia , reducing limitations in certain activities.  
6.10.   The above  are some of the key issues that had emerged in our discussion. I hope that the 
Brazilian delegation will take into account and further reflect on the many constructive comments, 
both broad and detailed, that it has received during this Review. Finally, I would like to thank all 
those that participated in our discussion, and I look forward to receiving the answers to any 
outstanding questions within the next month, at which point the Review will be successfully 
concluded.  
__________