21.2% drop in Brazilian tourists exposes Trump’s migratory policy

Between January and April 2025, the United States registered a drop in 21.2% in the number of Brazilian touristsfrom 191,646 to 151,008 visitors. The trend accompanies a global retraction movement, driven by restrictive migratory policy reinstated with Donald Trump’s return to the White House. US government data, released by the corresponding Assis Moreira in the Economic valueindicate that this phenomenon is not restricted to Brazil: the number of Argentines also fell 19.7% in the period.

Retraction is largely fueled by growing frustrations with unpredictable visa processes, new immigration repressions and increasing commercial tariffs imposed by the Trump government. These policies have launched a shadow on the country’s image, making the US seem less welcoming to global visitors. This recession comes at a time when most of the world experiences a strong resumption of tourism.

Despite the reduction, Brazil remains the second largest tourist emitter for the US, behind only the UK (disregarding neighbors like Mexico and Canada). Interestingly, the number of Brazilians with business visa grew 13%-possibly motivated by open commercial breaches by removing Tariff’s target countries. Traditional tourism retreated 19.5%, affecting states such as Florida, Texas and New York, traditional destinations of national preference.

A growing number of visitors claim to feel unwanted or insecure and reluctant to support the economy of a country that, according to some foreign authorities, is waging commercial wars and destabilizing their allies. A draft of a new ban on trips that circulates through the government can restrict citizens from up to 43 countries, including Belarus, Cambodia and Saint Lucia.

Uncertainty on the US border has led several countries, including Britain, Germany and Canada, to update their travel alerts to the United States, noting that visa exemption does not guarantee entry into the country with arbitrary arbitrary arbitrary visitors. The warnings arise after a series of US entrance ports that involved foreign tourists and Green Card. This month, French authorities said a French scientist was denied entry because his phone, who was searched on arrival, contained personal opinions about Trump government policies.

Hostile migratory policy affects the most competitive sector in the USA

The implications go beyond tourism. Global service trade – an area in which the US leads with $ 1 trillion exported in 2024 and nearly $ 300 billion surplus – is at risk. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the service sector, especially trips, is the most vulnerable to the instability created by the new wave of protectionism. The growth forecast fell from 6.8% to 4% this year. The impact from intellectual property royalties to logistics services, consulting, remote education and use of digital platforms.

The waterfall effect extends far beyond hotels and sights. Tourism supports more than nine million jobs in the US, from airline crews to restaurant employees, retail workers and small entrepreneurs in important entry cities. The slowdown in international visits reverberates throughout the ecosystem.

With the increase of tariffs and regulatory hardening, digitization – which would boost services to 37% of world trade by 2040 – could lose rhythm. Latin America, in particular, should register a record record of 1.1% in service exportsaccording to the WTO. The reason: the decline in tourism revenues, especially from the United States.

China walks in the opposite direction and opens the doors to the Latin Americans

While the US lose ground, China expands its presence and global attractiveness. From June 1, 2025, Brazilians, Argentines, Chileans, Peruvians and Uruguayans will be able to enter China Without visa for stays of up to 30 daysfor tourism, business, exchange or visit to family members. The measure will be valid for a year, with the possibility of renewal, and is seen as a strategic movement in the deepening of ties with Latin America.

Platforms like CTRip already register increase of more than 80% in searches for travel to China from Brazil and Chile. Direct Flight City of Mexico – Senzhen and new Beijing – São Paulo connections have facilitated physical approach, while the safe environment and competitive costs make the Asian country an increasingly attractive alternative.

With the measure, Brazil is equality with many European and Asian countries. This is because, since last year, most European countries, as well as their neighbors Japan and South Korea, do not need a visa to travel to China.

Impact is also economic and cultural

The exemption of visas has direct reflexes in the economy, education and culture. Companies like Suzano Asia expect facilitation of technical missions and executive visits. Small entrepreneurs see in extent an opportunity to expand business and gain new markets. For students and teachers, Chinese politics is a bridge for linguistic and cultural exchange.

In addition to the migratory opening, China announced a stimulus package US $ 9 billion in infrastructure investments and educational and social cooperation programs with the Latin American and Caribbean countries during the last meeting of the China-Celac Forum in Beijing.

Tourism as a thermometer of the new global order

The contrast between the policy of US closure she is Opening of China It reveals a silent dispute by influence in the global south. While Washington hardens his position even against visa -free countries, as in some documented cases, Beijing bets on cultural and commercial approach as a pillar of a more inclusive globalization.

With this, Brazil, historically focused on the US in tourism and services, begins to find new routes. The decision of thousands of Brazilians of Change Miami for Shanghai It can only be the beginning of a deeper reconfiguration on the travel map, business and international partnerships.