US trade chief pressed Brazil to review Anglo American nickel sale to China

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urged Brazil to reconsider the sale of Anglo American's nickel mines to a Chinese state-controlled miner during talks aimed at reducing tariffs on Brazilian goods. The proposal, reported by Brazilian media, would have allowed Washington to monitor mining asset sales, subject rare earth transactions to US review, and permit American companies to buy assets before approval.

Brazilian officials interpreted the request as targeting China, its largest trading partner. However, Brazilian officials rejected the terms, asserting their country applies the same rules to foreign investors irrespective of their origin. The American Iron and Steel Institute had previously asked Greer to intervene on China's behalf months earlier, citing concerns over China's growing influence in Brazil's nickel reserves.

Anglo American had agreed in February to sell the assets to a Singapore subsidiary of MMG for up to $500 million, with $350 million payable upon completion and the remainder contingent on nickel prices and a final investment decision. The nickel mines in question, including Barro Alto and Codemin operations in Goias, produced 39,700 tonnes of ferronickel in the previous year.

The European Commission initiated an investigation into the deal in November, raising concerns that China could divert low-carbon ferronickel from European producers to affiliated Chinese steelmakers.