Rio De Janeiro, Aug 6 (AP) Brazil has requested consultations at the World Trade Organisation over tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump against the South American nation, a government official told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The official, who wasn't authorised to discuss the matter publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity. The decision by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva takes place on the same day that 50 per cent tariffs imposed by Trump on many Brazilian exports came into effect.

The official said that Brazil understands that the case at the WTO, whose aim is to get countries to respect trade agreements, could drag on and that there's no guarantee of success. Lula has repeatedly said that the trade body needs a revamp to be enabled to mediate in conflicts.

Brazil's government estimates that 35.9 per cent of the country's goods shipped to the American market have been affected. That is about 4 per cent of Brazil's total exports.

Trump directly tied the 50 per cent tariff on imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of his embattled ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest.

That decision followed one from the court last month ordering Bolsonaro to wear an electronic ankle monitor and to obey a curfew while the proceedings are underway.

Lula is yet to speak about the move. On Tuesday, the leftist leader said that he wouldn't call Trump to talk about trade “because he doesn't want to” speak about it. Lula said that he might instead “invite him to attend (November's climate summit) COP in Belem.” (AP) GRS GRS

WTO consultations sought over import tariffs to challenge their compatibility with multilateral trade obligations and procedures. Brazil has requested WTO consultations to challenge unilateral U.S. tariff measures that increased duties on many Brazilian exports. The consultations invoke the WTO dispute settlement framework to examine the tariffs' compatibility with multilateral obligations; Brazilian authorities note the process may be lengthy and uncertain. The action coincides with the tariffs' effective date and follows public statements linking the trade measures to the judicial situation of a former political figure, situating the dispute within a politically charged policy context.