POSITION PAPER BRAZIL

THE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL

“Trade Fairly, Stand United ! ”

PUNAM DUTTA CHOWDHURY

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (UNGA)

Committee: United Nations General Committee (UNGA)

Agenda: The 2025 Tariff Escalation: Addressing the Global

Implications Of Unilateral Trade Policies and Economic Nationalism

Country: Republic of Brazil

Delegate: Punam Dutta Chowdhury

The world today is facing a critical challenge in international trade. Countries around the world
are increasingly resorting to unilateral trade policies and economic nationalism. While these
actions might seem to protect national industries in the short term, they cause long-term harm
to global economic stability, especially for developing nations. Brazil, as a leading agricultural
and commodity exporter, has been directly affected by these policies. Unilateral tariffs and
protectionist measures not only disrupt global markets but also create economic inequality
between developed and developing nations.

Brazil strongly believes that the only way to address these challenges is through a multilateral
approach where nations collaborate, rather than act alone. This position paper outlines Brazil’s
perspective on these issues, the impacts on our economy, and the proposed solutions for a
more fair and balanced global trade system.

Brazil is a key player in the global economy. As one of the largest exporters of agricultural
products like soybeans, coffee, and beef, and mineral resources, our economy is deeply tied
to global trade networks. However, in recent years, unilateral tariffs and economic
nationalism have created serious challenges for Brazil and other developing countries.

Unilateral trade policies are policies adopted by a single country to implement tariffs or trade
restrictions without seeking mutual agreements through established international platforms like
the World Trade Organization (WTO). When one country unilaterally increases tariffs, it
affects the flow of goods, making it difficult for countries like Brazil to access important
markets for our exports. This undermines the very essence of global trade, which is built on the
principles of cooperation and fairness.
Economic nationalism refers to a policy approach that prioritizes national interests, often at the
expense of international cooperation. While it is understandable for countries to focus on
protecting their own industries, extreme economic nationalism leads to isolation, raising tariffs,
and reducing international cooperation. For Brazil, this means higher costs for our exports and
less access to markets, which hurts our farmers, businesses, and consumers.

Brazil’s economy relies heavily on trade relationships with countries around the world. Tariffs
imposed by other countries have a direct impact on our farmers, exporters, and consumers. For
instance, when tariffs are increased on agricultural goods, Brazilian farmers face significant
financial losses. Goods like soybeans a key Brazilian export become more expensive, making
it harder for us to compete in international markets.

For example, the trade war between the United States and China has caused disruptions in the
global agricultural market, with Brazil being one of the countries that benefitted from shifting
trade patterns. However, these shifts also come with risks. When tariffs are imposed by major
trade partners, Brazil often finds itself caught in the middle, with our industries exposed to
unpredictable market fluctuations.

Moreover, the rise of economic nationalism in major economies like the United States and
China has hampered efforts to strengthen global economic cooperation. Policies that prioritize
national interests over global solidarity prevent the creation of fair trade systems that benefit
both developed and developing nations. Brazil has seen how this kind of protectionism can lead
to economic instability, making it harder for developing countries to grow.

Brazil is deeply committed to the idea that multilateral cooperation is the key to addressing
the problems of unilateral trade policies and economic nationalism. We believe that no country
should act unilaterally when it comes to international trade. Trade policies should be fair,
transparent, and mutually agreed upon in global forums like the WTO.

Brazil’s position is clear:

1.​ Support for Multilateralism: Brazil believes that trade should be governed by
international rules and agreements that include the voices of developing nations. This
ensures that trade benefits everyone, not just the richest countries.​
 2.​ Protection of Developing Economies: Unilateral actions disproportionately hurt
developing economies, like Brazil. These countries rely heavily on global trade to create
jobs, support farmers, and foster growth. Economic nationalism only increases
inequality and limits the opportunities for these nations to thrive.​

3.​ Fair Trade Practices: Brazil supports reforms in global trade rules that create a level
playing field for all nations, ensuring that no one country can dominate or impose
unfair conditions on others.​

To address the global challenges of unilateral tariffs and economic nationalism, Brazil
proposes the following solutions:

1.​ Creation of a UN-led Tariff Notification System​

Brazil believes that a UN-led system should be created to require countries to notify the
international community before imposing significant tariffs. This early warning system
would allow countries to engage in dialogue and find solutions before trade disputes
escalate. It would also increase transparency and reduce the chance of unilateral actions
that harm developing nations like Brazil.​

2.​ Reform of the WTO​

Brazil strongly advocates for the reform of the WTO to ensure it remains a fair and
inclusive platform for resolving trade disputes. The WTO must give more voice and
representation to developing countries, which are often disproportionately affected by
unilateral trade measures. Brazil calls for fairer trade rules that protect the interests of
both developed and developing economies.​

3.​ Regional Cooperation and Support for the Global South​

Brazil believes in the power of regional cooperation to address the challenges posed by
economic nationalism. We propose the establishment of South-South Trade Alliances to
help developing countries strengthen their trade relationships with each other, reducing
dependency on more powerful economies. These alliances would allow countries in the
Global South to support each other in the face of economic challenges.​

4.​ Global Tariff Reduction and Cooperation on Free Trade Zones​

Brazil proposes a global effort to reduce tariffs on agricultural products and other
 essential goods. This would make trade more accessible for developing countries and
allow for cheaper goods in global markets. Free trade zones could be established to
ensure that trade flows freely, benefiting both rich and poor nations.​

In conclusion, Brazil calls on the international community to reject unilateral trade actions
and economic nationalism in favor of a more cooperative and inclusive global trade system.
As a country that heavily relies on exports for economic growth, Brazil understands the
importance of fair trade rules and international collaboration. The rise of unilateral tariffs
and economic nationalism threatens global stability and disproportionately harms developing
nations.

Brazil urges this committee to support the creation of a multilateral system that fosters
dialogue, transparency, and fairness in global trade. By working together, we can address the
challenges of the 2025 tariff escalation and ensure that all nations, rich and poor, benefit
equally from global trade.

Brazil stands ready to collaborate with other nations to create a world where trade serves the
interests of all, not just a few.
 References / Sources
1.​ World Trade Organization (WTO) –​
The Impact of Unilateral Tariffs on Global Trade (2024)​
https://www.wto.org​

2.​ United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) –​

Economic Nationalism and Its Consequences for Developing Economies (2024)​
https://unctad.org​

3.​ Brazil Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Trade and Economic Affairs Division –​
Brazil’s Trade Policy and Multilateral Engagement (2024)​
https://www.gov.br/mre​

4.​ World Bank –​

The Role of Developing Nations in Global Trade (2023)​
https://www.worldbank.org​

5.​ International Monetary Fund (IMF) –​

Trade Wars and the Rise of Protectionism: Global Outlook 2025​
https://www.imf.org