Brazil President Lula Calls Tax Removal a Justice Repair Amid Business Claims of Loss
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva dismissed corporate complaints regarding the end of Brazil's "blusinha tax," calling the policy change an act of repair and justice for middle-class consumers.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized Brazilian businesses on Thursday, stating their warnings about financial loss from removing the blusinha import tax were 'half false.' He described the abolition as a corrective measure and a form of justice for citizens who cannot fly abroad or purchase specific luxury items like wine, whiskey, or leather jackets. Lula argued that while foreign visitors often bring in expensive goods exceeding US$ 3,000 without issue, local residents purchasing smaller amounts under US$ 50 were previously forced to pay the tax. He questioned the government's profit from collecting money on transactions below that threshold, noting that even R$ 250 (US$ 50) is a significant amount for many families. The administration confirmed this measure stems from a law sanctioned Thursday following a provisional decree signed earlier by the government.
