The 25% levy on most Brazilian imports takes effect July 22, targeting content-moderation orders and trade barriers. A separate forced-labor probe could add 12.5%.
The U.S. will levy 25% tariffs on most imports from Brazil starting July 22, concluding a yearlong Section 301 investigation into what Washington calls unfair trade practices. The action targets Brazilian orders directing American technology firms – including X, Meta, and Google – to remove political content and suspend accounts belonging to U.S. residents, along with preferential tariffs for Mexico and India, weak intellectual property enforcement, and ethanol market barriers.
The office of the U.S. trade representative said the extra tariffs are necessary to level the playing field for American workers and companies. Exemptions cover certain goods such as beef, orange juice, aircraft and parts, and energy products.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government had "not negotiated in good faith" and that the tariffs were the price of Lula "putting his own ego ahead of making a deal." The move followed months of engagement, including several high-level meetings between Brazilian officials and USTR representatives in recent weeks.
Brazil's trade ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lula reportedly said last month that Brazil would not accept the treatment his country had received, referring to Trump's proposal of 25% extra tariffs then.
The fresh tariffs come after the Supreme Court in February struck down President Donald Trump's previous 50% levies on Brazilian goods, keeping in place only a 10% global tariff. Trump has sought to reinstate his tariff power by launching Section 301 probes, which allows him to impose levies on countries found to have engaged in unfair trade practices without additional congressional authorization.
A separate U.S. probe into forced-labor enforcement could see an additional 12.5% duty on Brazilian goods on top of the 25%, with the decision due next week.
The dispute has spilled into Brazil's upcoming presidential election in October. Lula has accused Senator Flavio Bolsonaro of helping trigger the tariffs after his Washington visit. Bolsonaro denied the claim and said he planned to persuade the Trump administration to delay the tariff imposition until after the election.
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