Chief Justice Edson Fachin
Chief Justice Edson Fachin said the Supreme Court answers only to the Constitution and the law, criticizing what he called external pressure and a lack of respect for Brazil’s institutions. His comments came after the U.S. imposed a fresh round of tariffs on Brazilian exports, citing Supreme Court rulings among its justifications.
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“The Supreme Court respects the autonomy of every nation’s institutions and expected the same respect for the institutions of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Disputes between states must be resolved through diplomatic channels and the mechanisms of international law—never through initiatives that could be read as an attempt to constrain constitutional jurisdiction,” the chief justice said.
Fachin added that the Supreme Court “will continue to carry out, with serenity, independence, and firmness, the mission entrusted to it by the Constitution, free from any external influence, pressure or condition, preserving the integrity of the constitutional order, the separation of powers, democracy and the rule of law.”
According to the statement, the Supreme Court exercises its authority “exclusively by virtue of the Constitution.” Fachin also said judicial independence is a cornerstone of the democratic rule of law and an “indispensable safeguard” for liberty, equality, and the protection of fundamental rights. “Respect for judicial independence is an essential principle that must also guide relations between sovereign states and their institutions,” the statement continued.
On Wednesday night, the U.S. government published the order imposing a 25% tariff on Brazilian exports. The tariff, adopted under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act, is set to take effect next Wednesday (22).
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 authorizes the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate practices deemed harmful to U.S. trade.
Among the justifications the U.S. cited were Supreme Court rulings involving major technology companies. Last June, the courtbroadened the circumstances under which digital platforms can be held liable for content posted by users.
Washington also pointed to Brazil’s suspension of the video-sharing platform Rumble, the blocking of X in 2024, and court orders requiring Meta to restrict certain content.
This article was translated from Valor Econômico using an artificial intelligence tool under the supervision of the Valor International editorial team to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to our editorial standards. Read our Editorial Principles.
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