Trade Takes A Turn: President Trump announces 50% tariffs on Brazil

President Trump made a major announcement late yesterday on trade with Brazil. He is threatening 50 percent tariffs on all imports. While his message was largely around political events there, he warned that the trade imbalance has gone on long enough.

President Trump told Brazil’s president that new tariffs rates will begin August 1st. He is also calling on U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to open an investigation into unfair trade practices.

Brazil is a major trading partner, and some worry that the President’s trade policy might cause retaliation. However, Greer argues that tariffs give the U.S. the upper hand.

Related Stories
Rebuilding domestic textiles depends on automation and vertical integration, not tariffs or legacy manufacturing models.
The U.S. trade deal with Argentina creates new export opportunities for U.S. livestock and crop producers but also raises competitive concerns.
Purdue University Professor of Agricultural Economics Dr. Jim Mintert shares a closer look at farmer sentiment and the key issues shaping the agricultural economy in January.
Economists are also closely watching how policy decisions in Washington could influence markets moving forward. Analysts say deferred futures for corn, soybeans, and wheat suggest markets are operating near break-even levels, not at prices that would encourage expanded production.
Traders say that shift could eventually prompt the USDA to scale back soybean export projections, noting the outlook differs greatly for other grain commodities.
Marilyn Schlake with the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics joined us for a closer look at the evolving role of livestock sale barns.
From tariff talks in Europe to SCOTUS uncertainty and rising farm losses, analysts say policy and global supply will shape grain markets in the year ahead.
Large Brazilian crops heighten downside price risk if the weather allows production to reach projected levels.
Analysts say a Supreme Court decision on tariffs could reshape protein markets, strain U.S.-China trade, and force farmers to rethink global demand strategies.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Transportation challenges are mounting as droughts lower Mississippi River levels and push freight rates higher.
Waiting could risk leaving next year’s crop unprotected.
Michigan corn farmer and NCGA Vice President-Elect Matt Frostic will lead the task force. He joined us on Thursday to share his insights on the escalating corn crisis.
Speaking about his administration’s tariff strategy, Trump acknowledged that producers could face financial strain in the short term but promised stopgap support.
Rising cow numbers and higher yields are boosting milk supplies, which may keep pressure on prices and farm margins into the fall.
As input costs continue to rise, diesel prices have held steady in recent weeks, according to energy analysts at GasBuddy.