The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has proposed 25% tariffs on Brazilian goods after determining the country’s policies in areas including digital trade, anti-corruption enforcement, intellectual property, ethanol access, and illegal deforestation are “unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce” under a Section 301 investigation.
USTR cited a broad range of concerns, including digital trade and electronic payment services, Brazilian court orders targeting U.S. social media platforms, anti-corruption enforcement, intellectual property protections, preferential tariff arrangements with other countries, ethanol market access, and failures to address illegal deforestation. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the probe was launched at President Trump’s direction and followed ongoing talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, noting that while discussions have been “constructive,” major differences remain unresolved.
Section 301 of the Trade Act allows the U.S. to impose trade measures in response to discriminatory or harmful foreign practices. Brazil previously faced a 50% tariff in 2025 tied to broader disputes involving former President Jair Bolsonaro, though that action was later struck down by the Supreme Court. The White House has also separately adjusted tariffs on select industrial goods, including cuts to some agricultural equipment rates and revised thresholds for steel- and aluminum-related duties.
The proposal now enters a public comment process, with a hearing scheduled for July 6.
