The United States will impose 25% tariffs on most Brazilian imports starting next week, following the conclusion of a year-long investigation into alleged unfair trade practices. The move has renewed tensions between the two countries after trade negotiations failed to reach an agreement.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced the measures Wednesday, stating that the investigation found Brazilian policies detrimental to American interests in areas such as digital trade, ethanol market access, and illegal deforestation.
The 25% tariff will take effect on July 22 and will cover most imports from Brazil, though certain products such as beef, coffee, Brazil nuts, orange juice, aircraft and parts, and energy goods will be exempt.
Implemented under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the measure targets Brazilian policies, including directives requiring U.S. tech firms—such as X, Meta, and Google—to remove political content and suspend accounts of American users, preferential tariff treatment for Mexico and India, weak intellectual property protections, and barriers to ethanol trade.
The new tariffs follow the Supreme Court’s February decision to overturn President Donald Trump’s earlier 50% duties on Brazilian goods, leaving only a 10% global tariff in place. Trump has since pursued Section 301 investigations as a way to restore tariff authority without additional congressional approval.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the new tariffs, calling them “illegal and arbitrarily imposed” with “no justification.” He stated Brazil would respond under its Reciprocity Law while also seeking a resolution through the World Trade Organization.
Meanwhile, Brazil is also under a separate Section 301 investigation by the USTR over allegations of forced labor in global supply chains. The inquiry, which is expected to conclude next week, could lead to an additional 12.5% tariff, raising the country’s total U.S. tariff burden to 37.5%.
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