Trump’s new tariff against Brazil begins this Wednesday

A 25% additional tariff imposed by the United States on Brazilian products came into force this Wednesday (22.Jul.2026). The measure, announced by the government of Donald Trump (Republican Party) last week, affects around 3,000 items and is charged to North American importers when the goods enter the country.

Among the main items preserved from taxation are crude oil, coffee beans, aircraft, beef, cellulose, orange juice, pig iron and niobium iron. Industrial machinery, tires, sugar, ethanol, tobacco, wood, shoes and some aluminum products are now subject to charges.

The new tariff is the result of an investigation by the USTR (United States Trade Representative), based on Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Law. The body criticized Brazilian policies related to Pix, regulation of digital platforms, trade agreements, deforestation, ethanol, intellectual property and the fight against corruption. In the report, the USTR classified some of Brazil’s measures as “irrational” or “restrictive” to bilateral trade.

The Brazilian government classified the decision as a “pitiful milestone” and stated that it will activate the Economic Reciprocity Law, but has not yet announced practical measures.

Or vice-president Geraldo Alckmin (PSB) called the tariff “unfair and unreasonable”while Finance Minister Dario Durigan stated that “there is no point in talking about retaliation” right now. Planalto’s strategy is to maintain diplomatic negotiations and avoid commercial escalation.

The government is preparing measures to reduce the impacts of the tariff, including credit lines for affected companies and market diversification actions through ApexBrasil. There is also the possibility of a new 12.5% ​​surcharge on Brazilian products, due to an investigation into imports linked to forced labor. If applied, the total charge could reach 37.5%.

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