[SENATE] Foreign Arms Tariff Act
Posted: 21:34:26 Sunday, 31 December, 2017
Gentlemen, Brazil finds itself confronted with many growing problems, which threaten to take away the peace that has been so recently won in our beloved country. The first is the economic crisis that has swept the world, understandably this has had a major impact on our nation as well, and demands that we cope with it lest we be driven into ruin. The other is the lingering resentment of the civil war. I need not tell you of the devastation that it brought, and that no one wishes that same tragedy to be repeated.
Yet in spite of those beliefs, we have not seen a general move towards peace and reconciliation. Brazilian society remains as polarized as ever, and groups have increasingly militarized themselves for a renewed conflict that no one should wish to come to pass. I feel that this is a tragedy in the making, and something must be done before all our hard work comes crashing down again.
Of course, as we have seen in this esteemed body already any effort to demilitarize is likely to end in armed violence. But that does not mean that we cannot approach this from a different angle. And I believe that it is an angle which will also benefit the nation economically as well, providing needed profit in these turbulent times.
Yet in spite of those beliefs, we have not seen a general move towards peace and reconciliation. Brazilian society remains as polarized as ever, and groups have increasingly militarized themselves for a renewed conflict that no one should wish to come to pass. I feel that this is a tragedy in the making, and something must be done before all our hard work comes crashing down again.
Of course, as we have seen in this esteemed body already any effort to demilitarize is likely to end in armed violence. But that does not mean that we cannot approach this from a different angle. And I believe that it is an angle which will also benefit the nation economically as well, providing needed profit in these turbulent times.
The Federal union Party is of the belief that this Act can only benefit the nation of Brazil, and we hope that all of you shall agree and pass it in short order.Whereas foreign trade is a major source of revenue for the federalk government, providing 57 credits this year alone in spite of the economic state of much of the world,
Whereas the continued militarization of elements of Brazilian society has taken place as a result of the influx of foreign armaments into the country, many military grade in nature,
Whereas efforts to implement demilitarization policies are unfeasible at this time,
- Section One. The Brazilian government will effect an increase in the tariff on sales of foreign military arms to non-government organizations and individuals operating in a private capacity, as well as military vehicles, by ten percent. This is subject to review by the Ministry of Finance, should they determine more significant increases are needed.
- Section Two. This includes, on a basis determined by the Ministry, to include artillery, mortars, automatic weapons, semi-automatic weapons, marksmen rifles, machine guns, anti-aircraft weaponry, grenades and other military explosives, and anything else determined by the Ministry of Finance to meet the relevant criteria.
- Section Three. The Foreign Ministry is directed to issue reassurances to foreign governments that other Brazilian tariffs on foreign goods will remain at their current levels, and shall not increase at this time in spite of the economic crisis.
- Section TFour. This Act will take effect the day after passage of this bill.