Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with Sugarloaf Mountain and Botafogo Beach in the background.
Jeremy Walker Stone | Getty Images
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has proposed imposing a 25% tariff on Brazilian products under Section 301, determining that the South American country has engaged in conduct that is “unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce.”
These practices also include anti-corruption enforcement, intellectual property protection, access to the ethanol market, and illegal deforestation, according to a statement from the U.S. Trade Representative.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the Section 301 investigation was initiated at the direction of President Donald Trump.
Gurría said Trump has had “several constructive talks” with Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, but there remain significant differences between the two countries regarding resolving the issues uncovered in the investigation.
USTR will hold a public hearing on the proposed action on July 6.
Section 301 is intended to address unjust foreign conduct that affects U.S. commerce and allows the president of the United States to impose tariffs if an investigation reveals that the conduct is unfair or discriminatory.
Back in July 2025, Brazil was slapped with a 50% tariff by President Trump as part of retaliation for the ongoing prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
However, those obligations were reversed by the US Supreme Court in February, leaving Washington only able to impose a 10% tariff on exports to the US worldwide.
Separately, the White House announced adjustments to tariffs on certain steel, aluminum and copper imports. Taxes on agricultural machinery such as combines and harvesters will be reduced from 25% to 15%, and the scope of machinery subject to the 15% tariff will be expanded.
Capital equipment containing at least 85% U.S. steel and aluminum by weight will also be subject to a 10% tariff, down from the current 95%.
