BRASILIA - Brazil will respond to a steep tariff increase imposed by the United States with a contingency plan and take its case to the World Trade Organization (WTO), President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday.

During a meeting of the Council for Sustainable Economic and Social Development held in Brasilia, the president depicted the US trade move as "unjust" and highlighted Brazil's progress on the international stage.

"The government's commitment is to the Brazilian people. We will implement a contingency plan to mitigate this unjust attack, and alleviate its economic and social damage," Lula said.

"We will protect Brazilian workers and companies affected by these measures and will resort to all available mechanisms, including the World Trade Organization, to defend our interests," Lula told business leaders, union organizers, agricultural representatives and members of civil society.

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Brazil continues to pursue negotiations, he said, noting that talks with US authorities have been underway since March.

Brazil will officially announce its response to the tariff increase on Aug 18, when its foreign ministry files a request with the WTO to challenge the measure adopted by the United States.