Brazil has not yet decided whether to pursue retaliatory measures, but has vowed to stand its ground.
Published August 14, 2026
Brazil has begun talks about possible retaliatory measures against the United States after it imposed 25% tariffs on a wide range of Brazilian exports.
The new U.S. tariffs are “unjust and arbitrary” and Brazil “will continue to defend its position in all appropriate forums,” the Brazilian government said in a statement Thursday.
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This step marks the beginning of a reciprocity process that could eventually lead to Brazil introducing retaliatory measures, including tariffs, on U.S. imports.
This initial phase includes further diplomatic discussions with U.S. trade authorities.
In July, the United States imposed a 25% surcharge on some Brazilian imports, including sugar, clothing, paper and steel, alleging unfair trade practices. The United States also imposed 12.5% tariffs on Brazil and a number of other countries in connection with alleged lax enforcement of forced labor bans.
Although no decisions have been made yet, Brazil’s retaliatory options include imposing taxes and fees, eliminating exemptions and lowering import duties, and even restricting imports of U.S. goods and services.
Officials told Reuters that additional measures could go beyond tariffs, such as suspending pharmaceutical and agricultural patents.
The United States has a trade surplus with Brazil. This means that they are selling goods and services to Brazil that are more valuable than importing from Brazil. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2026, the United States will have exported the equivalent of $26.5 billion to Brazil and imported $17 billion.
multiple tariffs
Under President Donald Trump, the United States has lamented its trade deficit with countries around the world and has repeatedly called for sweeping tariffs on imports into the United States.
In April 2025, the White House announced that it would impose tariffs of at least 10% on almost all countries. These are what Trump and his team called “Emancipation Day” tariffs.
Those tariffs, which were struck down by a U.S. court this year, are widely seen as a replacement for the failed Emancipation Day tariffs and designed to survive challenges in the U.S. court system.
