Over half of Brazil's U.S. exports exempt from new tariffs

More than half of Brazil's exports to the United States, specifically 52.7%, will not be subject to the new tariffs announced by the Trump administration, according to official sources. The additional levies, implemented in the last week, are calculated to impact 23.1% of Brazilian sales to the U.S. market.

An additional 24.2% of exports were already subject to existing sectoral tariffs. Washington announced a 12.5% additional tariff on various Brazilian products, citing insufficient efforts to combat forced labor. These new duties are in addition to a 25% tariff announced the previous week on some Brazilian exports, a sanction for alleged "unfair" trade practices.

Consequently, 16.5% of Brazil's total exports will face a cumulative tariff of 37.5%. Products affected include machinery, equipment, wood, fats, oils, footwear, and apparel. Another 4.7% of exports will be subject only to the new 12.5% tariff, such as minerals, oils, perfumes, and fish. A smaller portion, 1.9%, primarily sugar, will face only the additional 25% tariff.

The Ministry of Development, Industry, and Commerce explained that these new surcharges replace a temporary 10% tariff the U.S. had imposed since February. Key exports like coffee, meat, aircraft, orange juice, fruits, chemicals, and most cellulose will remain exempt. This tightening of U.S. trade policy occurs as bilateral trade slows; after reaching a record $40.4 billion in 2024, Brazilian sales to the U.S. fell to $37.7 billion in 2025 and continued to decline this year.