According to reports in Chinese local media, Brazilian mobile phone manufacturers accused Chinese mobile phone makers for dumping mobile phones in the Brazilian market at low prices. At present, Brazil's Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade is reportedly investigating this issue.

Abinee, the Brazilian association of electrical and electronics industries, said that the Chinese-made mobile phones are being sold below the cost of production in Brazil, and the local makers cannot compete with them.

Over the past ten years, Brazil's economic growth has been promoted by Chinese imports of its major commodities, including soymeal, iron ore and other products. However, the Brazilian industry complained that it is being swamped by imports of Chinese-made goods. Meanwhile, with the increase of the Latin American country's currency against the US dollar, Chinese-made goods have become even cheaper in Brazil.

Prior to this, Brazil sharply increased a tax affecting imported cars produced outside of the South American Mercosur trade region and Mexico in 2011, which was a measure that followed a flood of Chinese-made vehicles into the country.