Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s defiant response to Donald Trump’s 50% tariff threat was validated Wednesday — at least in the short term — with markets and businesses breathing a collective sigh of relief at the long list of exemptions to the levies.

An association representing chemical companies in Brazil, where large U.S. firms like ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical operate, expressed "deep concern" regarding a U.S. executive order raising tariffs on Brazilian exports to 50%.