U.S. President Donald Trump has lifted the 40% tariffs on Brazilian food imports—including beef, coffee, cocoa, fruits, and tomatoes—reversing policies that had significantly raised prices for American consumers.
The decision, revealed on Thursday, removes the tariffs introduced in July in response to Brazil’s prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro. As outlined in the White House executive order, the exemptions will cover Brazilian shipments entering the United States starting November 13.
The decision could also necessitate Washington to reimburse duties collected while the tariffs remained in effect. The rollback represents the most recent reversal to an expanding series of exemptions from tariff measures introduced in recent months, as Trump contends with voter discontent over rising living costs.
Reuters reported that Brazil accounts for about one-third of the coffee consumed in the United States—the world’s largest coffee market—and has also emerged as a growing supplier of beef, especially for burger production.
Retail coffee prices in the U.S. have risen by up to 40% this year, fueled by the tariffs and weather-related supply shortages.
The move comes just days after Trump reduced the “reciprocal” tariffs he imposed under emergency authority in April. The latest exemptions covering products such as bananas, pine nuts, and orange juice were added to earlier carve-outs, now accounting for roughly two-fifths of Brazilian exports to the United States.
The earlier 40% duty, combined with a 10% reciprocal tariff, pushed the overall rate to 50%, triggering one of the most severe diplomatic rifts between the two largest countries in the Americas.
Brazil’s beef sector praised the policy reversal. According to Reuters, the industry association ABIEC said, “The decision shows the effectiveness of the trade negotiations,” and noted that it will continue efforts to further increase Brazil’s access to the U.S. market.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also welcomed the move, expressing satisfaction that the punitive tariff had been lifted. Trump’s directive, however, made no reference to the sanctions he placed on Brazilian officials linked to Bolsonaro’s prosecution.
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