The label "Made in China" is stirring an ever-greater backlash in Brazil as cheap imports ravage local manufacturers, putting pressure on new President Dilma Rousseff to fight back.
While Brazil boasts one of the world's few pockets of robust growth, its emergence as an economic power masks deep, fundamental imbalances, especially in manufacturing industry.
From car parts to shoes and textiles, imports are flooding Brazilian factory floors and supermarket shelves.
Finance Minister Guido Mantega says Brazilian industry is being hurt by a global "currency war" with China, the United States and others pushing down the value of their currencies to boost exports.
Novelis, a unit of India's Hindalco Industries (HALC.BO), last month shut down its factory in the northeastern coastal city of Salvador, blaming the closure on rising costs and Brazil's strengthening currency.
"If this is a war, we're the soldiers taking the hits," said Maria Chagas, one of hundreds of metalworkers made redundant by Novelis.
Brazil's real BRBYBRL has gained more than a third against the dollar in just over two years and imports from China have surged, climbing 60 percent last year.
"The Chinese are killing us. If we don't do something fast, our industrial power will gradually crumble," said Raul Klein, vice-president of Brazilian shoe industry group Abicalcados.
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