Brazil ups heat in US trade war
Brazil moved yesterday to hike import tariffs on a range of US goods, which could spark a trade war with America over cotton subsidies. The decision takes effect next month, starting a 30-day period during which US and Brazilian officials will attempt to negotiate a solution to the dispute. The moves comes after the matter has been the subject of eight years of litigation at the World Trade Organisation. Brazil is allowed to impose the tariff increases – worth $560m (£372m) – after winning a case at the WTO last year.