Trump proposes 25% tariff on Brazil

The 25% tariff proposal tied to Brazil is no longer just a social-media claim. On June 1, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said it had determined that several Brazilian acts, policies and practices were “unreasonable” under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and proposed a new tariff response for public comment. The USTR action followed an investigation opened on July 15, 2025, at President Donald Trump’s direction. The agency said the case covers digital trade and electronic payment services, preferential tariffs, anti-corruption enforcement, intellectual property protection, ethanol market access and illegal deforestation. (ustr.gov) The Reuters report that circulated late on June 1 added the missing number: 25%. Reuters said the proposed duties would apply to many imports from Brazil, while excluding some products including beef, coffee, rare earths, other metals and aircraft parts. ### Where did the 25% figure come from? (ustr.gov) June 1 is the date USTR published its formal determination and request for comments, not just a political message. The agency’s notice said it was proposing action, including tariffs on articles of Brazil and certain exemptions, after finding the Brazilian practices actionable under Section 301. (streetinsider.com) Reuters, citing the USTR proposal, reported that the planned rate is 25% on many Brazilian imports. That fills in a detail not obvious from the initial social-media circulation of the claim. ### What exactly is the U.S. government accusing Brazil of doing? USTR said Brazil’s conduct burdened or restricted U.S. commerce in several areas. (ustr.gov) The agency listed digital trade and electronic payment services, unfair preferential tariffs, anti-corruption enforcement, intellectual property protection, ethanol market access and illegal deforestation. (streetinsider.com) Ambassador Jamieson Greer said in the June 1 release that he launched the investigation at Trump’s direction to address “longstanding and pervasive U.S. concerns” about Brazil’s trade policies and practices. Greer also said the United States had continued talks with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government but still had “substantial differences” on the issues identified in the investigation. (ustr.gov) ### Is this an immediate tariff or a proposal? July 15, 2026, is the statutory deadline USTR gave for taking responsive action. The June 1 notice opened a public-comment process rather than imposing the duty immediately. June 22 is the deadline to request to appear at the hearing, July 1 is the deadline for written comments, and July 6 is the hearing date at the U.S. (ustr.gov) International Trade Commission building in Washington. USTR said it would continue engaging with Brazil during that period. ### Why is Section 301 important here? Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 is the trade-law tool USTR uses to respond to foreign government practices it finds unreasonable or discriminatory and harmful to U.S. commerce. Congress’s research service says Section 301 can be used as a remedy for unfair trade practices, including through tariffs. February 24, 2026, matters because other Brazil-related tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were terminated after a Supreme Court ruling that IEEPA did not authorize the president to impose tariffs, according to trade-timeline summaries. (ustr.gov) The new Brazil action is instead moving through Section 301. (congress.gov) ### How does this connect to the earlier Brazil tariff fight? Last year’s Brazil dispute involved a separate 50% tariff on many Brazilian goods that Reuters said Trump had imposed, in part tied to Brazil’s prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Reuters reported that those duties were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February. (chrobinson.com) The current June 1 action is narrower in legal form and more detailed in its trade allegations. It is being presented by USTR as the result of a year-long Section 301 investigation, with a formal docket, hearing schedule and comment period. July 6 is the next public milestone in the case, when USTR plans to hold its hearing in Washington. (streetinsider.com) July 15 is the agency’s stated deadline for deciding what responsive action to take on the Brazil investigation. (ustr.gov)