RIO DE JANEIRO, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian government on Tuesday welcomed the Senate's push to advance the "Reciprocity Bill," which would authorize tariff countermeasures against the United States, but emphasized that its preferred path remains dialogue and economic cooperation.

Speaking to reporters, Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who also serves as the country's minister of development, industry, commerce and services, applauded the Senate's effort to provide a legal framework for trade defense.

"Brazil wants to grow its commerce through reciprocity grounded in competitiveness," he said.

"But I must stress that the way forward is dialogue and economic complementarity. We could even expand into new partnerships," said the vice president.

The Senate's Economic Affairs Committee approved the bill earlier Tuesday with 16 votes in favor and none against. The legislation would allow Brazil to apply reciprocal tariffs and environmental standards in response to foreign trade restrictions. Unless a senator requests a full floor vote, the bill will now proceed directly to the Chamber of Deputies under fast-track consideration.

The committee's approval came just one day before U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce a new tariff package that could impact Brazilian exports.