The United States announced on Wednesday, July 16th, 2026, it will impose 25 percent tariffs on thousands of Brazilian imports, including sugar, apparel, paper, and steel. This move follows a yearlong investigation that concluded Brazil engaged in unfair trade practices, particularly concerning its digital trade policies and enforcement issues.

The tariffs, set to take effect on July 22nd, 2026, are the first imposed under the White House’s revamped trade strategy using Section 301 of US trade law. This provision allows investigations into unfair trade practices and justifies levies against offending countries. The new tariffs come after the US Supreme Court struck down previous sweeping global tariffs earlier this year.

Notably, key products such as beef, coffee, and rare-earth materials are exempt from the new tariffs. Beef and coffee prices have risen significantly in the US over the past year, with beef prices up 11.8 percent and coffee up 12 percent, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report from the US Labor Department.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated, “Extensive negotiations with Brazil over the past year have not resolved these issues, but we remain open to continuing negotiations with Brazil to bring about long-needed changes to the problems identified in this investigation.”

The tariffs reflect ongoing trade tensions between the two countries and the US administration’s efforts to address what it views as unfair trade practices by Brazil.

Sources