The Minister of Finance, Dario Durigan, once again stated this Wednesday (15) that a possible increase in import tariffs by the United States would be "disproportionate" and "unjustified". ?This Wednesday (15th) is the deadline for the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to release the final decision on the trade investigation and possible application of measures against Brazilian products. The indication is that the new rates will actually be applied. Durigan said that, if the measure is implemented, the Brazilian government will act to protect the internal economy and that national productive sectors cannot pay the bill for external trade barriers. "With regard to tariffs, there is always a principle that will guide us: Brazilian businesspeople, Brazilian families, Brazilian truck drivers and Brazilian farmers cannot be harmed by unfair measures adopted by other countries", declared the minister. Although he adopted caution, stating that there is still no official confirmation on the practical application of the new American rates, the Minister of Finance said that the federal government must map the sectors that should be most affected to design support actions. The minister declared that the reaction will follow the "principle line" of previous government measures to shield the domestic market. He also declared that any Brazilian response to external pressure will be subject to public spending control goals. "We will always make a careful assessment of the future commitment, fiscal commitment that we have, and we will always address it by protecting our population", he considered.