President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned this Thursday the provisional measure (MP) that ends the so-called "blusinhas tax," the 20% charge on international purchases of up to US$ 50. The MP had been approved by the National Congress the previous week. Before the measure, this tax was zeroed in practice, meaning purchases of up to US$ 50 did not pay import duty.
The end of the charge is one of the electoral platforms Lula intends to use in his re-election campaign. For purchases above US$ 50, the 60% import duty continues to apply.
The decision happens in a context of pressure on the cost of living and the Presidential Palace's attempt to improve the perception of Brazilian citizens' income.
The topic divided the Presidential Palace itself, pitting on one side then Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, who feared the backlash from the productive sector, and on the other Minister Sidônio Palmeira, from the Communication Secretariat.
