Photo: screengrab from the official website of Brasil 247

By Brazil 247 - Brazil's Planning Minister Simone Tebet said Tuesday the country could offer the US access to its reserves of critical minerals in exchange for easing steep new trade tariffs, while stressing any deal must respect Brazil's sovereignty and democracy.

Speaking after a meeting of the Senate's Regional Development Commission, Tebet highlighted so-called critical minerals - rare earth elements essential for manufacturing cell phones, advanced electronics, and electric vehicle batteries - as key assets in potential negotiations.

"We have things to offer the United States, especially critical minerals," Tebet said. "At the right time, they will come to talk to us. Let's give it time to see exactly what the US wants from Brazil. There was speculation about whether it was a political issue, a judicial matter… With time, this foam will clear, and we will see the bottom of the pool. Let's give it time to see what Brazil can offer the US, obviously respecting sovereignty and democracy."

Her comments came a day after Finance Minister Fernando Haddad disclosed that a planned meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had been canceled. Haddad said the decision followed pressure from Brazilian congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is currently in the US. "Eduardo Bolsonaro publicly said in an interview that he would try to block this type of contact between the two governments, because what was at stake was not a commercial matter - he made that clear in a public interview," Haddad told GloboNews TV network.

When asked about contingency plans for industries hit by the tariff hikes, Tebet said some "details are still being clarified" within the government and stressed the need to protect fiscal accounts. "The intention is for the aid to have minimal impact on public finances," she noted.

The plan, coordinated by Vice President and Industry Minister Geraldo Alckmin, includes potential subsidies, debt refinancing, and job preservation measures in sectors most affected by the tariffs. Assistance could target not only entire industries but also individual companies. 

Brazil's strategy blends diplomatic caution with a clear defense of its strategic interests, particularly in the global competition for critical minerals that underpin the green energy transition and advanced technology manufacturing.

(Reported by Brasil 247 on August 12, 2025)