US President Trump Orders Significant Tariffs on Brazilian Imports, Exempting Key Sectors
Tokyo, August 1, 2025 – The United States, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, has issued a new executive order that will significantly increase tariffs on a wide range of Brazilian imports. The announcement, made by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) today, signals a substantial shift in trade policy towards Brazil, though the order also carves out notable exemptions, affecting roughly 60% of Brazilian exports to the US.
According to the report published by JETRO at 05:30 JST, the directive imposes a substantial 40% tariff on specified goods originating from Brazil. This move is expected to have a considerable impact on Brazilian industries that rely on the US market for their exports, potentially leading to increased costs for American consumers and businesses that utilize these imported products.
While the broad-stroke increase in tariffs is a significant development, the order is not without nuance. JETRO’s announcement highlights that a substantial portion of Brazil’s exports, exceeding 40%, will remain exempt from these newly imposed duties. The specific criteria for these exemptions have not been fully detailed in the initial reports, but it is understood that certain key sectors or strategic commodities may have been identified for preferential treatment. This selective application of tariffs suggests a targeted approach by the US administration, possibly aimed at specific industries or with broader geopolitical considerations in mind.
The rationale behind this presidential order has not been explicitly stated in the JETRO announcement, but it is widely speculated that such measures are often implemented to address trade imbalances, protect domestic industries, or as a response to perceived unfair trade practices. Given President Trump’s previous pronouncements on trade policy, a focus on bilateral trade deficits and the promotion of American manufacturing could be underlying factors.
The implications of this new tariff policy are far-reaching. For Brazil, it presents a significant challenge to its export-oriented economy, potentially necessitating a re-evaluation of trade strategies and a search for alternative markets. For US businesses, the impact will vary depending on their reliance on Brazilian imports. Those affected will likely face increased operational costs, which could be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. Conversely, domestic industries that compete with the targeted Brazilian goods may see a competitive advantage.
The international trade community will be closely monitoring the unfolding of this new policy. The specific sectors targeted and the reasons for the exemptions will be crucial in understanding the long-term implications for US-Brazil trade relations and broader global trade dynamics. Further details regarding the precise list of goods subject to the 40% tariff and the categories of exemptions are anticipated to be released by US authorities in the coming days.
トランプ米大統領、対ブラジル追加関税を40％引き上げる大統領令発令、ただし4割強が対象外
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日本貿易振興機構 published ‘トランプ米大統領、対ブラジル追加関税を40％引き上げる大統領令発令、ただし4割強が対象外’ at 2025-08-01 05:30. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.