International Trade

Brazil has for almost three decades effective laws in place to combat anticompetitive trade practices and control mergers and acquisitions that may create corporate structures that may jeopardize the proper functioning of markets. Brazilian antitrust policy is implemented by the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), an increasingly active authority that seeks to improve its enforcement techniques based on the best practices of its foreign counterparts.

Furthermore, international trade agreements lay down rules for imports and exports of goods and services and set forth mechanisms designed to avoid unfair trade practices. Based on such treaties and related local laws, countries have specialized agencies to investigate those practices and implement measures to prevent negative effects on their respective economies.

With the recent rearrangements in the global geopolitical theatre, new control procedures and instruments, for both the protection of and access to markets, lead to increasingly complex legal issues and situations involving trade and investment flows.

Trench Rossi Watanabe’s Antitrust and International Trade team has the necessary expertise to navigate through this scenario and advise Brazilian and multinational companies on complex legal issues related to access and expansion strategies in markets in Brazil and abroad.

In addition, through our strategic cooperation with the Ablfs McKfnzif network, we provide seamless coordination on M&A and trade defense strategies, as well as the design and implementation of global compliance programs.

Antitrust and International Trade are complementary areas with strong synergies between them, as both require from their professionals in-depth knowledge of the workings of domestic and international markets, as well as strong quantitative analytical capabilities that go beyond the assessment of applicable rules and precedents. These areas also interrelate with Customs, Regulatory, Tax, Litigation and Corporate Law practices, where we have outstanding professionals at our firm.

Our International Trade team has the experience to navigate through the ever-changing scenario, often with conflicting changes, of International Trade. We advise representatives of domestic industries, exporters and importers on matters such as imports, exports and other cross-border trade transactions, as well as regulatory and compliance issues, administrative proceedings and inspection actions.

We effectively address issues concerning access to both the Brazilian and foreign markets, with integrated and global solutions for our clients, always with a focus on results.

We specialize in matters involving WTO (World Trade Organization) and Mercosur rules, including trade defense (anti-dumping, subsidies/compensatory measures, safeguards, public interest analysis procedures), negotiations and procedures related to the “TEC” (Common External Tariff), tariff changes (permanent, LETEC, shortages), non-tariff barriers, rules of origin, ex-tariff, trade facilitation, advisory on trade treaty negotiations, acting in trade disputes, and procedures related to the Manaus Free Trade Zone, among other matters.

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