Trump signs decree imposing 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, with exceptions

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a decree implementing an additional 40% tariff on Brazil, raising the total tariff to 50%, according to a statement released by the White House on Wednesday (30).

The tariffs will take effect in seven days. The decree includes annexes listing 694 exceptions, such as Embraer aircraft, aircraft parts, orange juice, wood, various wood-related materials, pulp, electrical equipment, and petroleum, which had already been removed from previous U.S. tariff lists for other countries. (See the full list here.)

On the other hand, coffee, cocoa, meat, and fruit—some of Brazil’s main export items—are not on the list of exemptions and are expected to be taxed. As a result, despite being less severe than initially expected due to the exceptions, Trump’s tariff hike still has the potential to affect Brazilian exports significantly.

The measure aims to “address the recent policies, practices, and actions of the Brazilian government that constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,” the decree states.

The text makes no mention of bilateral trade between Brazil and the U.S. There is no reference to trade surplus, deficit, or trade volumes between the two countries.

Below are the main products exported to the United States via containers in May. The chart was created using DataLiner data:

Top 10 Products Exported to the United States via Containers – May 2025 – TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

President Trump had previously announced the measure on July 9. It is the highest tariff among those imposed on countries exporting to the U.S.

According to Trump, the surcharge is being imposed partly due to “Brazil’s insidious attacks on free elections and Americans’ fundamental rights to freedom of speech.”

The statement again cites the legal case against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (PL). It claims that the Brazilian government engages in “persecution, intimidation, harassment, censorship, and politically motivated prosecutions,” which it classifies as serious human rights violations.

The document names Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of intimidating political opponents and censoring U.S. companies. It also mentions the freezing of a U.S. company’s assets as a coercive measure.

Imports from Brazil to the U.S. will be subject to a 50% surcharge. That is, in addition to existing import tariffs, an extra 50% will be levied.

One example is ethanol. According to sources, the U.S. previously imposed a 2.5% tariff on Brazilian ethanol, which increased to 12.5% after the 10% surcharge was applied. With the new announcement, the rate is expected to reach 52.5% in August.

(Click here to read the whole White House statement)

Sources: Folha de S. Paulo  and O Globo

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