President Donald Trump says his trade feud with Brazil is about the country’s controversial former president, but the tech industry also has lots at stake in this fight.
The U.S. Trade Representative launched an investigation last week into Brazil under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, looking into potential unfair trade practices. The investigation was ordered by Trump as he also imposed a 50% tariff on America’s Western Hemisphere neighbor.
Tech hasn’t been quite so explicitly central to any trade dispute this year, like with Brazil. Trump said the country has engaged in “continued attacks” against tech companies as the industry claims Brazil is making it harder to do business there. We’ve also told you how this is also personal for the president.