Brazil has taken the first formal step to retaliate against the new US tariffs by triggering its recently passed Economic Reciprocity Law, raising the stakes in a growing trade dispute between the Western Hemisphere’s two largest economies. The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva notified Washington that it has begun internal consultations on the Act, which authorizes Brasília to impose reciprocal measures against foreign restrictions deemed harmful to Brazilian interests. The move, initiated earlier this month, signals a tougher stance from Brazil, with President Lula stating the process was necessary to show the world his nation “must be respected.”