USA opens research against the PX service and the Brazilian digital financial system

The White House He questions if Brazil unfairly favors his instant payments system on US firms.

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• The system Pix, created by him Central Bank of Brazilhas transformed the country’s finances.
  
• The United States alleges that Brazilian digital policies harm companies such as Visa, Mastercard and X.
  
• The tension grows within the framework of diplomatic disputes and concerns about the progress of the block BRICS

The United States Government has initiated a formal investigation against Brazil for alleged unfair commercial practices in the digital field, with special attention to the Pix Instant Payment System.

The announcement came to place in a statement published this week, where the American commercial representative, Jamieson Greer, said the process will analyze whether Brazilian policies unfairly harm US companies.

According to Greer, Both tariff and non -tariff barriers will be reviewed, claiming that Brazil gives preferential treatment to certain commercial partners while disadvantages US exporters. The investigation also includes allegations of discrimination against US technology companies that refuse to fulfill orders of political content censorship.

In particular, the case of platform X was mentioned, suspended nationwide in August 2024 by order of the Supreme Federal Court of Brazilafter Elon Musk refused to designate a legal representative in the country.

Political context: Trump and the Bolsonaro case

The conflict is part of a political climate loaded. On July 7, President Donald Trump publicly urged the Brazilian authorities to stop the judicial process against former president Jair Bolsonaro, qualifying it as a “Hunt for witches.”

Days later, Trump sent a letter to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warning that he would impose a 50 % tariff on Brazilian imports from August 1, unless certain policies considered adverse policies for US interests were stopped.

The tension has been increasing, and new formal research could have significant implications in both bilateral trade and global financial architecture.

Pix: The heart of the Brazilian digital ecosystem

As to Pix, This was launched in 2020 by the Central Bank of Brazilas a state system of instant payments. It allows 24/7 transfers with null or very low costs, eliminating intermediaries such as credit card networks. Its adoption has been fulminant: it has more than 150 million users and is accepted in more than 60 million businesses.

From small street vendors to public services, Pix It has revolutionized the way Brazilians transfer money. In just five years, he has largely displaced traditional payment methods, such as Mastercard and Visa.

This consolidation has aroused alarm in Washington, where it is feared that Brazil is excluding US companies in the digital market in favor of a state system.

Although it is a local system, its implications are global. Platforms like Truther They already allow users outside Brazil to send them and instantly liquidate them in Brazilian bank accounts through Pix. This allows to overcome traditional financial infrastructure such as Swift, Paypal or Western Union.

In addition, Brazil is part of the block BRICS, Together with Russia, India, China and South Africa, which generates additional concerns in the US. In 2024, this group launched “BRICS PAY”, A cross -border payment platform with local currencies, and discussed the creation of a common reserve currency to compete with the dollar.

During a recent summit in Rio de Janeiro, these plans intensified, which, according to Fuentes, caused the irritation of President Trump and his economic advisors.

What is at stake?

American research could lead to sanctions, commercial reprisals or other measures. It could also tighten the relationship between Washington and Brasilia even more, just when the latter strengthens its role as an emerging power in the global south.

For the observers of the crypto and financial ecosystem, this case highlights the power of sovereign digital systems such as Pix, and how they could challenge the status that dominated by Western actors.

The evolution of this conflict will have to be followed closely, which not only affects financial giants, but also to the balance of global trade.

Written article with the help of an AI content editor, edited by Angel Di Matteo / Diariobitcoin

Original image of Diariobitcoin, created with artificial intelligence, for free use, licensed under public domain.

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